Midwest Virtual Institute: Condom Distribution as a Structural Intervention

During this institute, participants will have the opportunity to...

Review the core components of condom distribution as a structural-level intervention (CDSI);
Understand the key requirements and recommendations to planning and implementing a condom distribution program in the Midwest; and
Engage in dialogue on best practices, tools, and strategies for implementing CDSI in the specific regional context as well as adapting programming amid the global pandemic.

Please see below for the full institute agenda.

DAY ONE \| FEBRUARY 4, 2021
TIME (CT)	SESSION NAME AND DESCRIPTION
10:00-10:15am	WELCOME AND HOUSEKEEPING
10:15-10:30am	CONDOM DISTRIBUTION AS A STRUCTURAL-LEVEL INTERVENTION (CDSI) OVERVIEW Condom distribution has historically been a key component of HIV prevention. When considering condom distribution as a structural-level intervention (CDSI), there are many components at play that expand beyond the purchase and dissemination of materials to. This session will provide a brief overview of the characteristics of and recommendations for a successful CDSI program, summarizing the resources on core CDSI components that will be disseminated prior to the institute.
10:30-11:20am	CONDOM ECONOMICS OVERVIEW A key element of an effective CDSI plan is developing a clear understanding of the necessary resources for implementation. Regardless of your role in a CDSI program, thinking critically about the dynamics of condom procurement can position you to navigate and adapt the evolving needs of a community. In this session, participants will increase their knowledge of the supply chain; equitable and economical allocation of resources; and best practices for budgeting and maximizing program funds.
11:20-11:35am	BREAK
11:35am-12:15pm	CONDOM ECONOMICS CONTINUED: CASE STUDY As a continuation of the condom economics overview, this session will take a deep dive into a specific case study from the Midwest. Examining this example, this session will look at the history of condom distribution in this jurisdiction; the strategies that have been effective for this organization; and the allocation of resources to various pillars of CDSI. In recognition of COVID-19, this session will additionally explore shifts that the program made in order to strategically reallocate resources to provide safer sex products during the pandemic. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with panelists.
12:15-1:00pm	LUNCH BREAK
1:00-1:50pm	DEVELOPING AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR CDSI An implementation plan enables program staff to stay organized, accountable, and flexible when working to meet the goals of any condom distribution efforts. This session will emphasize the importance of creating an implementation plan, and provide the opportunity for attendees to understand the core components of an implementation plan through the hands-on development of SMART objectives, goals, and a work plan. Representatives from health departments across the Midwest will also provide insight on their processes for developing a plan, and how those plans have shifted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1:50-2:05pm	BREAK
2:05-2:50pm	PANEL DISCUSSION: CDSI IMPLEMENTATION DURING COVID-19 Traditionally, CDSI relies on in-person engagement and service delivery. Components ranging from the physical distribution of condoms to social marketing on public transportation requires face-to-face interaction. During this session, speakers from condom distribution programs throughout the region will discuss the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the implementation of their programs. Each program will provide insight on approaches, strengths, and challenges faced, as well as recommendations for best practices in making condoms available, accessible, and acceptable to priority communities during this time. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with speakers and inquire about the realities of operating within an evolving environment for CDSI.
2:50-3:20pm	GROUP WORK AND NETWORKING: SHARING STORIES Building on the panel discussion, this session will allow attendees from health departments across the Midwest to share lessons learned throughout the pandemic. In breakout rooms, participants will be able to share successes and challenges faced during the pandemic in order to brainstorm innovative ways to adapt CDSI programs. Participants will leave this session with a shared understanding of barriers and best practices to implementing CDSI in new, digital context.
3:20-3:30pm	CLOSING
DAY TWO \| FEBRUARY 5, 2021
TIME (CT)	SESSION NAME AND DESCRIPTION
10:00-10:15am	WELCOME BACK AND RECAP
10:10-11:00am	COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT FOR CDSI This session will provide an overview of a community assessment for condom distribution, addressing the importance of this process, defining appropriate evaluation questions, and exploring how to appropriately collect and analyze data. Participants will brainstorm what community assets are available in their jurisdictions; discuss challenges and best practices to overcoming those barriers; and review a sample community assessment that is apt and culturally humble.
11:00-11:45am	PANEL DISCUSSION: ADDRESSING ACCEPTABILITY Throughout the jurisdictional planning process, responses and input have demonstrated that increasing the acceptability of condoms across the Midwest is a challenging component of CDSI. Following discussion of the acceptability pillar of CDSI during the previous session, this panel discussion will provide input and advice from health departments who have successfully increased the acceptability of condom usage within their region. This session will provide the opportunity for open discussion between panelists, providers, and attendees on navigating barriers to acceptability.
11:45am-12:00pm	BREAK
12:00-12:50pm	PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS Now more than ever, strategic partnerships are vital to the successful implementation of a condom distribution program. COVID-19 has encouraged providers to be creative in developing new partnerships and collaborations that allow their interventions to reach communities in this changing context. This session will include best practices and strategic approaches for condom distribution, while additionally addressing innovative means of communicating, coordinating, and collaborating to strengthen program implementation.
12:50-1:35pm	LUNCH BREAK
1:35-2:25pm	CONDOM PROMOTION STRATEGIES FOR CDSI The goal of marketing and promotion in this context is to increase awareness of CDSI programs and their resources. Marketing and promotion can play a role in increasing the acceptability of condom usage within a community. This session will provide an overview of how to integrate promotion into your CDSI plan; best practices for a successful social marketing campaign; and recommended adaptations in light of COVID-19. Attendees will examine sample messages and materials to investigate what strategies and approaches might best fit their audience.
2:25-2:40pm	BREAK
2:40-3:20pm	EVALUATION AND MONITORING FOR CDSI Evaluation provides concrete measures of what elements of an implementation plan have been successful, and which have not. This information allows us to pivot programming to meet the needs determined during the community assessment process. This session will explore the basic components of evaluation, including an evaluation framework; logic models for CDSI; and strategies for data collection. In consideration of COVID-19, this session will also review traditional and non-traditional metrics to evaluate and monitor a CDSI program.
3:20-3:30pm	CLOSING AND CBA RESOURCES