Evaluation of Partnerships Impacting STD Outcomes in Areas of Service Reduction

In recent years many STD clinics have reduced hours and services, or closed due to dwindling resources. A 2014 infrastructure survey found that 33% of responding STD programs indicated at least one negative impact due to recent budget cuts. Among those identifying negative impacts, 43% cited a reduction in clinic hours, 40% cited a reduction routine screening, and 40% cited reductions in partner services for STDs other than early syphilis. Since that survey, anecdotal information indicates the problem has worsened.

Although it is difficult to ascertain where people now go for STD clinical services as a direct result of the STD clinic reductions or closures, it is easy to see that other public and private health care entities are as critical as ever to the success of STD prevention and control.

JSI, in partnership with Cloudburst Consulting Group, will characterize the partnerships that STD programs have sought and maintained to expand and assure STD clinical services, particularly for low-income and at-risk populations. JSI and Cloudburst will identify key evaluation questions and data collection methods to evaluate the role of partnerships on assuring safety net STD clinical services. The results will directly inform policies, guidance and case studies for STD programs nationwide on how to develop effective partnerships to further STD prevention and control goals. The resulting analysis will help Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) to better support effective partnership development and maintenance among state and local health department STD programs.

In support of DSTDP’s partnership initiative, JSI and Cloudburst will evaluate strategic partnerships between funded STD programs and key stakeholders to determine effective partnership constructs/characteristics and the impact on specific STD prevention and control activities. The findings of this evaluation will impact STD program policy development and implementation to establish or improve quality STD services delivered by “safety net” providers in areas adversely affected by a significant reduction in STD clinical resources.