Plain Talk in Local Health Departments

1. Plain Talk in Local Health Departments Tasha Toby, MPH National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership Conference August 28, 2007

2. NACCHO Mission • NACCHO is the national organization representing local health departments. NACCHO works to support efforts that protect and improve the health of all people and all communities by promoting national policy, developing resources and programs, seeking health equity and supporting effective local public health practice and systems.

3. Presentation Summary • Role of Local Health Departments in Teen Pregnancy and STI/HIV Prevention • NACCHO Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention Initiative: Promotion of Plain Talk • Local Health Department Plain Talk Sites • Additional NACCHO Activities

4. Role of Local Health Departments at the Community Level • Unique role of local health departments (LHDs) within the community 1 • Engaging community to address health issues • Preventing, minimizing and containing adverse health effects • Implementing health promotion programs • Addressing health disparities • Providing science-based, timely and culturally competent health information [1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. Operational Definition of Functional Local Health Department. (2005). Also available at www.naccho.org

5. Role of Local Health Departments in Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention • Regularly engage in direct service or assurance activities serving youth at high risk for teen pregnancy and/or HIV/STI infection • Approx. 50% of LHDs provide primary prevention services for unintended pregnancy 1 • 62% provide of LHDs provide HIV/AIDS screening 1 • 64% of LHDs provide STD screening 1 • 61% have teen pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention programs 2 [1] National Association of County and City Health Officials.  (2006)  2005 National Profile of Local Health Departments.  Washington, DC:  NACCHO.  [2] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2007) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen HIV/STI Prevention Activities of Local Health Departments: Preliminary Survey Results

6. NACCHO Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention Initiative • 2007-2008 Funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation • Goal: Assist LHDs in improving their teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention programs through promotion of Plain Talk • Assess existing teen pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention activities and knowledge of Plain Talk among members • Disseminate information about Plain Talk • Highlight and promote existing LHD Plain Talk activities

7. LHD Teen Pregnancy & HIV/STI Prevention Activities: Preliminary Survey Findings • Current Activities 1 • Surveillance/Data Collection: Teen Pregnancy (60%), HIV/STI (77%) • Health education: Teen Pregnancy prevention (60%), HIV/STI prevention (81%) • Linkage to clinical services: 86% • Social marketing campaigns targeting youth: 33% • Professional training: 42% • Community needs assessment: 63% [1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2007) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen HIV/STI Prevention Activities of Local Health Departments: Preliminary Survey Results

8. LHD Teen Pregnancy & HIV/STI Prevention Activities: Preliminary Survey Findings • Plain Talk: Level of Knowledge and Interest 1 • 78% unfamiliar with program • 59% interested in learning more about program • Barriers to implementing new teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention initiatives at local level 1 • Limited staff resources • Limited funding [1] National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2007) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen HIV/STI Prevention Activities of Local Health Departments: Preliminary Survey Results

9. Plain Talk: Roles of Local Health Departments • Funding agency: LHDs have partnered with Plain Talk’s implementation agencies and contributed to the initiative’s implementation budget. • Information and services resource: LHDs have created formal referral networks to assure that the Walkers & Talkers are armed with the information required to link families to available support services. • Implementation partner: In some Plain Talk sites the LHD has taken a more hands-on approach in implementing the program.

10. Local Health Department Plain Talk Sites • Toledo-Lucas County Health Department: Toledo, OH • South Valley Health Department: Albuquerque, NM • City of Milwaukee Health Department (WI) • 2002: Second highest percentage of births to mothers <20 years old among 50 largest US cities • Collaboration between Milwaukee Health Department and local CBOs • Lead partnering agency: New Concept Self Development Center, Inc. • Initiated in Milwaukee’s Midtown neighborhood

11. Milwaukee Plain Talk Initiative • Community mapping phase • Conducted by adults and teens • Over 30 hours of extensive training from P/PV • Surveyed 334 adults and approx. 300 teens • 170 teens & adults signed up to participate • Youth “secret shopping” trips • Currently planning home health parties • Culturally appropriate methods for African American male and Hmong communities in Midtown

12. Additional NACCHO Activities • Key Informant Interviews of LHDs regarding Plain Talk and current teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention initiatives • NACCHO Issue Brief highlighting current LHD Plain Talk sites • Compendium of LHD evidence-based teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention programs • Webpage highlighting activities of LHDs implementing Plain Talk • Series of 3 Plain Talk Webcasts for LHD audiences

13. Contact Information • Tasha Toby, MPH • Senior Analyst- Adolescent Health • ttoby@naccho.org