2024 POISE Training description:

ISCI now welcomes applications for the Practitioner-Oriented Implementation Science Education (POISE) Training program. The goal of POISE, which is designed for HIV prevention and care practitioners (e.g., people who provide direct HIV services, engage in HIV program planning, or fund HIV-related services), is to offer training on implementation science and innovative tools that can be applied to real-world practice. The training includes basic implementation science concepts, identifying implementation barriers and facilitators and implementation strategies to address them, and identifying measurable implementation outcomes. The multimodal, practice-based, five-month hybrid training is composed of a series of presentations on implementation science (didactic) sessions, an in-person meeting, self-study components, real-world case study, peer-to-peer learning, and interactive online discussions.

The time required to complete the entire training program is estimated to be 1.5 days for in-person meetings, plus an additional 40 to 42 hours over the course of a five-month period to complete pre-reading, learning activities, and final virtual meeting. Travel costs and lodging for the in-person meeting will be covered by the program. A total of 12 applicants will be selected for 2024 training cohort (see application process below).

The training program will: 1) Increase understanding of how to apply implementation science tools for planning and writing RFPs; 2) provide templates to operationalize program development and implementation throughout an organization; and 3) offer science-based strategies to develop and improve HIV-related services. By the end of the training program, participants will have developed an initial implementation plan for a locally relevant HIV-related program and will receive a certificate of completion of the POISE training.

Selected participants are expected to:

• • Be located in an EHE priority jurisdiction (learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/endhiv/jurisdictions.html)
  • Work at an organization that provides HIV services
  • Identify a project relevant to their organization to apply implementation science concepts and develop an implementation plan as part of the program
  • Have institutional support to devote time and effort to the program
  • Fully participate in all training program components and activities during the April-September/2024 program period

Program components (April 15 – September 13, 2024):

• • Initial Virtual Didactic Session (April 14, 2024)
    • Program timeline and expectations
    • Overview of Implementation Science
  • 1.5-Day In-Person Meeting/Training in Chicago (April 22-23, 2024)
    • Didactic sessions
    • Group work and discussions
  • Post-meeting Activities (April-August, 2024)
    • Complete determinants, implementation strategies and outcomes worksheets based on a local HIV program or intervention
    • Development of an implementation plan
  • Monthly Virtual Learning Labs (May, June, and July/2024)
    • One topic-focused meeting per month
  • Readings and other resources (April-August, 2024)
    • Monthly tailored readings, videos, and tools to support learning of key concepts
  • Final 1-Day Virtual Meeting (Week of September 9, 2024)
    • Participant capstone

The required components of the online application include:

1. Basic demographic information and information about your organization
2. A brief essay that addresses the following in approximately 500 words: 1) Why you are interested in learning more about implementation science; 2) describe an HIV-related program or intervention at your organization that you plan on using as part of the training exercises to identify barriers/facilitators, implementation strategies and outcomes; and 3) describe ways in which you will receive support from your organization to complete the training activities.
3. CV or Resume

Applications should be made online and the due date has been extended to Thursday March 7, 2024, 11:59 p.m. CT.

Applicants will be notified by March 18, 2024. Applicant selection will be made to ensure the 2024 training cohort includes a wide range of backgrounds based on geography, type of organization, and HIV services offered by the applicant’s organization.​ Travel arrangements for in-person travel will begin week of March 18.

Please direct any questions to isci@northwestern.edu.