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BACKGROUND Many US health departments now integrate HIV-related outcomes (e.g., relinkage to HIV care and preexposure prophylaxis [PrEP]) into sexually transmitted disease (STD) partner services (PS) programs. We sought to determine the barriers, facilitators, and cost of integrating these activities into PS. METHODS From 2016 to 2018, the Mississippi State Department of Health integrated 3 new activities into STD PS: HIV testing for partners of HIV-negative men who have sex with men with gonorrhea/chlamydia, relinkage to HIV care for STD PS recipients previously diagnosed with HIV, and PrEP referrals. We conducted direct observations and interviews with disease intervention specialists (DIS) in Jackson to assess barriers and facilitators to implementing these activities. We completed time and motion studies with 8 DIS and case tracking forms for 90 unique cases to estimate the incremental staff time and associated personnel cost of added services compared with a standard PS case. RESULTS Disease intervention specialists were optimistic about integrating HIV-related activities but noted disparate data systems, nonsystematic documentation, and lack of training as barriers. The mean time for a standard STD PS case without HIV-related activities was 195 minutes (cost, $77.69/case). The cost to conduct PS for HIV-negative men who have sex with men with gonorrhea/chlamydia was 36% higher than a standard case. Integrating relinkage to care and PrEP referrals resulted in a 44% and 20% increase in cost, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Integrating HIV care relinkage and PrEP referrals into STD partner services was generally acceptable by DIS and added marginal cost per case. Coupling these cost metrics with an assessment of the effectiveness of these activities can inform prioritization of partner services activities.

BACKGROUND Mississippi has the 10th highest rate of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) integrated partner HIV testing into syphilis partner services (PS) in 2014, but the effectiveness of this as an HIV case finding strategy has not been evaluated. METHODS We identified all early syphilis (primary, secondary, and early latent) case records reported from July 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016, excluding case records for people concurrently newly diagnosed with HIV. Among sex partners of these people, we identified new diagnoses of early syphilis and HIV. We calculated the number needed to interview as the number of syphilis index case patients interviewed divided by the number of partners newly diagnosed with early syphilis or HIV. RESULTS A total of 1535 (95%) of the 1619 early syphilis index case patients were interviewed for PS. These case patients named 2267 partners, of whom 1868 (82%) were contacted by MSDH. Among partners, 1508 (81%) tested for syphilis and 745 (56%) of 1321 partners not previously diagnosed with HIV were tested for HIV. Partner services identified 696 new early syphilis case patients (46%) and 24 (3.2%) new HIV case patients among partners. Sixty-four index case patient interviews were needed to identify 1 new case of HIV, and 2 interviews were needed to identify 1 new case of syphilis among partners. CONCLUSIONS Syphilis PS allowed MSDH to interact with 1592 men who have sex with men over a 30-month period and was effective for identifying people newly infected with early syphilis and HIV. Increasing HIV testing among partners of syphilis case patients could increase HIV case finding in Mississippi.

A tiered response model for social-emotional learning (SEL) is needed to address the significant mental health needs of young people in this country. In collaboration with other school mental health professionals, school psychologists have a unique expertise that situates them to be systems change agents in this work. This article describes a pilot project that focused on augmenting existing SEL services with SEL assessment within a tiered system of support in one elementary school. Using a consultation-based model grounded in principles of empowerment evaluation, an interdisciplinary school team used SEL data collected during one school year to inform the delivery of SEL interventions and supports. Data from SEL, academic, and behavioral assessments were examined retrospectively to illustrate the potential value of integrating assessments and interventions across domains. The discussion offers implications for ongoing efforts to develop and implement tiered response models through interdisciplinary colla...

For financial reasons, an increasing number of tertiary students in Australia are forced to work long hours each week, and they are becoming more likely to be living in relative poverty. This study aimed to explore and describe the economic situation of students at a provincial Australian university campus, and the role that type of residence plays in their financial well-being. A large-scale self report survey dealing with students' financial experiences during the 2003 academic year, was distributed to a convenience sample of students from across the courses offered on the campus. Quantitative data analysis was completed using SPSS and qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results indicate a strong relationship between type of residence and financial well-being. Rural students may be especially vulnerable to the effects of financial distress, because of issues such as low cash-flow on many family farms, and the long distances many travel to attend regional universities. This study indicates a number of possible avenues to protect students from living in poverty.