Staff Training

BE SAFE: A Cultural Competency Model for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians Toward the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS PDF - 1,800KB
This model was developed at the National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center. This is a cultural competency model for use in clinical practice. Model is based on the mnemonic "BE SAFE": Barriers, Ethics, Sensitivity of the Provider, Assessment, Facts, and Encounters. The BE SAFE Model helps health care providers become comfortable in treating and improving the health outcomes of AI/AN/NH. This program supports the training of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, clinical pharmacists, Indigenous healers, spiritual healers and other health care providers in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS.

Editors: Fransing Daisy, Ph.D; Yvonne M. Davis, MPH; Betty Durran, MSW, MPH; Victor Lambert; John Lowe, RN, PhD; Theresa M. Maresca, MD and Wesley L. Thomas, Ph.D. 2006.

Clinician’s Guide to Working with Native Americans Living with HIV/AIDS PDF - 333KB
This is a practical resource for medical providers who are confronted with basic cultural challenges presented by Native American patients living with or at risk for HIV infection.

HIV/AIDS Prevention, Early Intervention, and Health Promotion: A Self-Study Module for Health Care Providers Serving Native Americans PDF - 2,300KB
From the Mountain Plains AETC and National Native American AIDS Prevention Center. An interactive self-study module that is a valuable tool to those serving Native American populations. The module includes discussions on disease progression, new patient assessment, prevention, risk assessment, counseling and testing, disease complications, prevention education, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and health maintenance. The self-study includes case-studies, study questions and "lessons learned" from health care personnel working with Native American populations. 138 page manual. 2005.

Authors: Laura Oropeza, BA; Lucy Bradley-Springer, PhD, RN, ACRN and Steven Johnson, MD

Behavioral Health HIV/AIDS Regional Collaborative Trainings

2-Day regional behavioral health trainings funded through Minority AIDS Initiative for the IHS Division of Behavioral Health and in support of the Indian Health Service Director’s three health initiatives. Staff executes Division of Behavioral Health’s HIV/AIDS Collaborative Regional Trainings with the IHS Division of Behavioral Health, the IHS HIV/AIDS Principal Consultant and members of the planning team from the IHS Office of Urban Indian Health Programs and other federal agencies including HRSA, SAMHSA and NIH. To date, there have been several trainings in multiple geographic IHS Areas.

The trainings focus on HIV/AIDS behavioral health issues, capacity and partnership building, and related intervention strategies, however also functions as a key venue for facilitation of critical contacts and networking. Planning meetings provide substantial visibility for IHS as well as inter and intra-agency collaboration and integration of initiatives. Topics include the following:

• HIV Risk and Resiliency
• Culturally Appropriate Care: Stigma and Barriers
• Understanding Native People Living with HIV/AIDS
• HIV Testing, Behavior and Resources
• Traditional Behavioral Health Approaches
• Regional Needs Assessment and Data
• Promising Practices in HIV Prevention/Treatment

The trainings will continue to have culturally appropriate material as well as integrate traditional approaches in combating stigma over the next series of trainings. Locations and specific behavioral topics for the next series of trainings have not yet been determined. This training also provides an excellent forum to establish appropriate relationships with I/T/U partners and often state public health officials as well as Native organizations and associations. FY06 will see the execution of 5 regional trainings and FY07 has funding for their continuation.

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