Core Training for Health Education and Risk Reduction Activities

Staff training is an important element in the development of a sound program.  The suggested areas in which health education and risk reduction staff should receive training are listed below.  Not all staff members should receive training in all the listed areas.  The outlined training areas provide various program and management staff with the specific technical support necessary to implement their component of the health education and risk reduction program.

Effective training plans for Health Education and Risk Reduction staff:

• Provide basic HIV, STD, and tuberculosis (TB) health education information.
• Provide bleach use instruction.
• Increase knowledge of substance use/abuse.
• Provide orientation to human sexuality, including diverse lifestyles and sex practices.
• Enhance sensitivity to issues for persons living with HIV/AIDS and STDs.
• Recognize cultural diversity and enhance cultural competence.
• Provide an orientation to the agency, community, and available community resources.
• Include ongoing professional development for staff.
• Provide opportunities for role play, observation, and feedback, including the use of video replay where possible.
• Provide training in the dynamics of community and agency collaboration.
• Enhance basic health education concepts.
• Provide orientation to community resources.
• Identify additional sources for updated information.
• Build communication skills (e.g., active and reflective listening, clear speaking).
• Provide for regular updates on analyses and programmatic interpretations of data.
• Provide training on program planning, operations, and supervision.
• Provide orientation to safer sex guidelines.
• Provide training on developing HIV/AIDS publications and resources.
• Enhance basic knowledge of family planning and contraception.
• Increase knowledge of treatment and therapy for people living with HIV and AIDS.
• Provide training on crisis intervention.
• Provide training on street and community outreach.
• Provide ongoing discussion on grief and bereavement.
• Provide training on confidentiality and privacy.

Go to Community Needs Assessment