STD AAPPS FOA Frequently Asked Questions

STD clinical preventive services are those services that are provided in clinical settings to:

• prevent the onset of an STD (e.g. high intensity behavioral counseling);
• identify (screen) and treat asymptomatic persons at risk of acquiring an STD;
• treat and manage persons diagnosed with an STD. 

(Source:  Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, Report of the USPSTF)

Awardees should focus on those clinical preventive services that have been outlined under the Assessment and Assurance sections of the FOA. (July 9, 2013)

High Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) is a service intended to promote sexual risk reduction or avoidance, and may include:

• education;
• skills training; and
• guidance on how to change sexual behavior.

HIBC is a suggested activity under the Assurance/Health Promotion and Prevention Education section of the FOA and therefore is not required.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends HIBC to prevent STIs for all sexually active adolescents, and for adults at increased risk for STIs. HIBC is considered a USPSTF grade “B” recommendation. (July 9, 2013)

STD programs are required to provide assistance (at least 13.5% of the overall award amount) to non-profit organizations that have demonstrated their ability to provide safety net STD clinical preventive services. 

This assistance may include in-kind support  (including federally funded STD program staff time and/or resources) to screen and treat women and their partners for chlamydia and gonorrhea to prevent infertility.  This can be reported as part of the 13.5% contribution.

Programs must also collect data documenting the number of uninsured and underinsured screened and treated with this portion of the award.

If 13.5% is not spent on safety net services, a justification must be provided. (July 9, 2013)

For the purposes of this grant, clinical sites must be:

• non-profits with 501(c)(3) designation
• non-profits without 501(c)(3) designation
• health department clinics

If applicant proposes to support other clinical sites, a justification must be provided. (July 9, 2013)

• This is a new area of assessment for STD prevention programs and CDC will share best practices and provide technical assistance for programs that need assistance with this activity. 
• CDC will work with NCSD on national assessment measures during the first year of the project period and discuss which local assessments should be standardized, collected uniformly, and reported to CDC for a national measure. 
• Gaps in safety net services may be considered an important national measure but those decisions will be made in collaboration with CDC awardees and NCSD.

(July 22, 2013)

Yes, depending upon professional judgment and the applicable laws for the jurisdiction, this type of patient may be provided no-cost care as if he/she were uninsured or underinsured. (August 1, 2013)