The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is a major partner in the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic (EtHE) initiative. NACCHO identified a need to assist local jurisdictions with strategically planning and implementing their EtHE programs, and sought a consultant to deliver strategic planning and technical assistance to support the implementation and sustainability of, and buy-in for, the jurisdiction’s EtHE plan. Facente Consulting was selected through a nationwide RFP process.
This work began with a rapid assessment process in the identified jurisdiction, Montgomery County, MD. Facente Consulting reviewed Montgomery County’s EtHE plan and conducted stakeholder interviews to gain an understanding of the jurisdiction’s challenges and assets related to EtHE implementation. Our charge was to develop and deliver strategic planning tools appropriate to the jurisdiction’s needs and create a replicable process to aid other health departments in delivering EtHE services. Deliverables included stakeholder interviews, strategic implementation plan meetings, a strategic implementation planning framework, a facilitation guide, a consensus-building tool, technical assistance calls, and a summary report completed and delivered to the jurisdiction and to NACCHO.