The Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC) works with the HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks funded by the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) with the intent of creating a more integrated, collaborative and flexible research structure. The networks are an affiliated group of national and international medical research institutions and investigators that conduct clinical HIV/AIDS research to develop safe and effective drugs, prevention strategies, and HIV vaccines. They include the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials group (IMPAACT), and the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN).

 

HANC is based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington and has provided leadership and logistical support for cross-network coordination efforts since 2004. HANC’s mission is to support the science and operations of the networks by increasing efficiency and resource-sharing through coordination of critical activities across networks and with other research and advocacy partners. Efforts focus on: scientific leadership; site management and clinical trials logistics; behavioral science; communications; laboratory operations; the Legacy Project; training development and dissemination; harmonization of data management; development and application of consistent standards of performance evaluation; and facilitating effective community engagement in the research process. HANC is accountable in its activities to DAIDS and Network Leadership.

 

Be the Generation HIV Prevention Research (HPR) Training Module

The HIV Prevention Research training module, a collaboration of the Legacy Project, FHI360, HPTN, HVTN, and MTN, provides recent prevention research findings in a curriculum designed to increase scientific literacy of the communities most disproportionately impacted by HIV. The four hour long module addresses the topics:

  • What Is HIV Prevention and the HIV Combination Prevention Toolbox?
  • What Are HIV Prevention Tools and How Are They Used in HIV Prevention Research?

The eight-hour long version of the module includes the above content with additional components on:

  • What is HIV/AIDS?
  • What is Clinical Research?
  • What is Community Engagement?

The training modules contain slides with presenter notes, an accompanying participant guide with activities, and an assessment to be used before and after the presentation to assess the participants’ knowledge of HIV research. The training has multiple components designed to stand alone for use in a variety of settings. Depending upon the needs of your audience presenters can create a specific training to address any or all of the topics.

 

Recommendations for Community Engagement in HIV/AIDS Research Version 2.0 (2014) Available online in English and Spanish.

Community representatives working with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the NIH increasingly felt that this type of guidance was essential and in 2009 sought to develop recommendations as a way to address good community practice. These recommendations are intended as a tool to help research staff and community representatives expand and deepen existing partnerships, and forge new ones, with the ultimate goal of facilitating effective community engagement in all aspects of clinical trials research.

 

Basic Scientific Literacy (BSL) Training Module

The Basic Scientific Literacy training module training has been designed for participants with little knowledge of basic science and research and can be used as a refresher with more knowledgeable participants.

 

This entire workshop should last approximately 8 hours and is intended to provide information for community members and service and community based organization staff members funded by the Division of AIDS of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health. The places where this training will be delivered involve multiple U.S. locations. This training has been developed to create consistent messages for a variety of people in different locations with different knowledge and experiences.

 

The objectives of this workshop are to:

  • Demonstrate how science helps people
  • Learn about the scientific method
  • Describe scientific research
  • Explore the human side of science

These objectives will be met through the use of informational materials (the Participant Guide) and numerous small and whole group activities and discussions. This course will be most successful with people who feel comfortable sharing questions and information.

 

Community Partners Training Materials

The Community Partners Training Working Group (CTWG) created a set of standardized, high quality CAB training materials for cross-network use. Community Partners (CP) agreed on a selection of specific cross-network training topics as priorities and reviewed the existing training materials to develop a cross-network trainer’s guide and training module on the topics of Understanding the clinical research process and principles of clinical research and The role of a CAB and principles of community involvement. After much time and effort, on behalf of the Community Training Working Group, HANC and Community Partners is pleased to announce that the documents have been finalized and are ready for wide distribution. The training documents include:

  • Participant Slides
  • Participant Slides Spanish Translation
  • Participant Handouts
  • Participant Guide
  • Participant Guide Spanish Translation
  • Workshop Activities Handouts
  • Participant Slides & Instructor Notes
  • Instructor's Guide