HIV/AIDS Education and Training of Psychologists

Several qualifications are essential for successful completion of this scope of work. The contractor must have knowledge of, and access to, psychology faculty at graduate and professional schools and internship programs nationwide and have impeccable credentials for developing and accrediting graduate level education. In addition, a mechanism must exist to identify and contact all practicing psychologists in areas selected for training activities. The contractor must be a credible source of information not only to this professional group, as demonstrated by successful training efforts for psychologists throughout the country, but to other mental health professionals who may be called upon to participate in the HIV/AIDS effort. In addition, the contractor must have the experience and capability to obtain continuing education accreditation from the APA for the curriculum being developed. For the program to be effective, the contractor must be able to gain cooperation and participation from psychologists in areas of the country where HIV/AIDS training for this group has not yet been conducted, and with emerging needs. The contractor also must possess comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge regarding: the identification and treatment of psychosocial consequences of HIV infection and AIDS; risk reduction assessment and counseling, including behavior change techniques; protease inhibitors, adherence/compliance issues; counseling pre- and post- HIV antibody testing treatment; and mental health treatment to enhance coping. The APA is the only organization uniquely qualified on all of these parameters. The APA is the sole organization that has credible access to psychology faculty at graduate and professional schools and internship programs and is capable of reaching virtually every psychologist in the country and enlisting their support and participation in HIV/AIDS training and education. This is facilitated by access to regional, state, and local organizations for easy tracking. In addition, the APA is perceived by other mental health professionals as a credible source of information on HIV/AIDS. Of particular note, the APA's Continuing Education Committee, which is responsible for establishing and promulgating standards and guidelines for continuing education courses and credits, has certified the APA's HOPE Program, Office on AIDS, to develop and deliver continuing education curricula on HIV/AIDS. This certification ensures that all HOPE training materials will be developed in a timely manner and conform to standards for psychologists, as well as for the care of people affected by HIV/AIDS. In addition, the APA Office of Continuing Professional Education maintains it's own Online, Web-based CE training program and works closely with the HOPE Program in the development and implementation of all HOPE Online, HIV/AIDS mental health training. Relative to the authorizing legislation, this contract will address several goals reported by The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health: Successfully provide national education that addresses the misconceptions about mental illness (and HIV/AIDS); train mental health providers in the provision of culturally competent HIV related mental health services and reach providers in underserved areas including rural and geographically remote areas; serve as a bridge between research and evidence practices and services by offering mental health service providers up-to-date, state-of-the-science training in service provision, and implement activities to develop the workforce to become more willing and more capable of providing evidence based treatment. Award of a sole source contract to APA is necessary because this provider association for the psychology field is uniquely qualified to provide this training and support to front-line psychology service providers and ongoing continued focus on training specific to HIV/AIDS and Mental Health as related to psychological services.