Highlights/takeaways include:

• January 5, 2017, the California Conference of Local Health Officers (CCLHO) Board of Directors voted to endorse implementation of California’s “Laying a Foundation for Getting to Zero” Plan, encouraging OA to work with local health officers and AIDS directors throughout California to achieve the objectives. 

• The Governor’s Budget proposal released January 10, 2017 includes funding authority shifts and policy changes in alignment with California’s Laying a Foundation for Getting to Zero Integrated Plan. For detailed information about the above and specific budget items visit:
  www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/aids/Pages/TOAStateFunding.aspx
  
  

• The California Conferences of Local AIDS Directors and the California Sexually Transmitted Disease Controllers Association have consolidated into the California STD/HIV Controllers Association to create a common mission to reduce STD and HIV transmission and ensure high quality prevention and care services.

HIV Prevention

• OA staff is collaborating with CDPH’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Branch (STDCB) on the application of HIV status data on syphilis cases for linkage-to-care or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) referral.                     
  
• Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) are increasing throughout the State.  King County is the most recent to submit an application to CDPH for a SEP.  Public comment will end the month of January and a decision will be rendered in March.  

Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

• The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), Community Health Equity & Promotion (CHEP) Branch, in collaboration with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFGH), has created the Youth PrEP Emergency Program to provide PrEP to youth who are unable to receive PrEP through other sources.  Contact Nikole Trainor at Nikole.Trainor@sfdph.org with questions about the program.
  
• CHEP is moving forward with negotiated contracts for PrEP and African American MSM, Latino MSM, Trans female, and youth, which are scheduled to start in February 2017.
  
• A collaboration between CHEP, City Clinic and Mission Wellness Pharmacy is underway to pilot test HIV rapid testing as a first step to providing PrEP in a community pharmacy setting.

Hepatitis C (Hep C)

• On February 9, 2017, 5:30-7:30, End Hep C Community Partners will meet at 25 Van Ness room 610 to start the process of getting feedback from the community on the initiative’s strategic plan.  To attend this open meeting, RSVP to Michaela Varisto at Michaela.Varisto@sfdph.org; space is limited. 

Syringe Disposal

• The Mayor’s Fix-it Team is bringing together a muti-agency collaborative of San Francisco City and County departments to gather neighborhood concerns and develop an action plan to address discarded syringes/syringe disposal south of Market.  The Fix-it Community meeting is scheduled for January 24th, 6:30-8:00 at the Gene Friend Recreation Center (270 6th Street, San Francisco) 
  
• CHEP is working with BART to place syringe boxes outside of the Powell street, Civic Center, and 16th and Mission stations.  For more information, contact Eileen Loughran at Eileen.Loughran@sfdph.org.

Getting to Zero (GTZ) – Successes and Next Steps

• RAPID efforts show a decrease in the number of days between testing and care.
  
• City funds are available to advance/address PrEP navigation, RAPID hub expansion, re-engagement and retention by addressing barriers, reducing stigma through community collaboration, and strengthening capacity.
  
• NIH grants are available to develop a PrEP Cascade and to look at PrEP persistence.
  
• Metrics are being/will be developed for all initiatives.
  
• SF GTZ will work with other jurisdictions as requested.

HIV and Aging

• Golden Compass, a new medical program focused on HIV and Aging at ZSFGH Ward 86, will be launched on February 3rd (10-12 noon) at Carr Auditorium, Building 3. RSVP to niall.kavanagh@ucsf.edu or 415.476.4082 ext. 105.
  
• A presentation on HIV care and older adults by Meredith Greene, MD, AAHIVS shared that…
  
• 60% of PLWH in SF are age 50+, 19% are 65+, and 11% of new infections are among older people.
  
• The biggest challenge for older adults is diagnosis; once diagnosed they generally do better with the care continuum than other age groups.
  
• There is a need for studies that focus specifically on PrEP and older adults.

The PLWHA Committee has identified 7 educational luncheon speaker bureaus topics for 2017 and is seeking presenters. Interested people with requisite knowledge and background should contact Raymond Brickhouse at rbrickhouse@apeb.org for the details. These topics include:

• Women and PrEP
  
• HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
  
• HIV and Positive Sexuality
  
• HIV Medication Drug Intervention
  
• HIV and Aging
  
• HIV and Hepatitis C
  
• PrEP and PEP

• PrEP is being piloted at STD clinics in Contra Costa County (CCC) and early intervention services (EIS) are underway, focusing on partner elicitation, PrEP navigation support, HIV testing, STD follow up, and linkage to care.

• CCC has received a “Whole Person Care” award.  The county expects to see additional support for their HIV positive clients who are challenged to keep their clinical appointments.  

There is a critical shortage and need for qualified HIV testers in Alameda County.  An assessment conducted by Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD), Office of AIDS Administration (OAA) staff evaluated testers’ knowledge and skill levels and concluded that there are quality assurance issues that have the potential to compromise HIV tests results.  Concerns: 

• There is a need for more HIV testing certification opportunities.
  
• Low pay level of HIV testers doesn’t result I the recruitment of motivated, qualified people.
  
• There is a need to identify and train individuals who are cut out to be testers vs. those who aren’t.