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NCSD’s members are uniquely positioned to know what works to reduce STD rates in their jurisdictions. As the leading national organization with a constituency that provides frontline STD services, NCSD works to help our members raise their voice for strengthening STD prevention, research, and treatment. These efforts include assisting members in implementing effective policies and strategies, providing valuable resources, as well as increasing awareness of the medical and social impact of STDs.
At the national level, NCSD staff and members educate Members of Congress and the Executive Branch, provide testimony at governmental hearings and meetings, and are actively involved in numerous national coalitions focused on HIV, reproductive health, and other sexual health issues.
NCSD collaborates with its state, territorial, and city members to assist jurisdictions with the process and implementation of effective policies and programs to reduce STD rates and also provides jurisdictions with information about policy and legislative changes.
NCSD’s Policy Team offers a variety of technical assistance opportunities to members, such as:
• Regional Meetings: reduce isolation and share strategies for addressing issues and policies specific to health departments and local health programs in each region
• Provide information about local town halls: identify opportunities to participate in state or local policy
• Track state policies: help ensure awareness of state policies that affect STDs and to offer NCSD’s assistance
• Provide letters of support: help pass state policies that have a positive impact on the STD field
• Messaging and communication training: provide NCSD members with the tools to educate the public and policy makers about their STD program
Coalition Building Toolkit
The coalition building toolkit will walk members through the process of starting and maintaining a coalition, including identifying members, developing shared goals, and tracking actions.
Policy Academy
The annual Policy Academy is designed to teach public employees and partners how to educate policy and decision makers within the confines of their job and support them in gaining the skills to participate actively and effectively in using policy to address public health problems.
Webinar: It’s Confidential – Lessons from Massachusetts’ EOB Bill
In 2018, Massachusetts passed An Act To Protect Access to Confidential Healthcare (PATCH) which addresses the issue of privacy concerns due to billing practices and EOBs. NCSD hosted a webinar in June 2018 with Kimberly Daly from Salem State University and Alyssa Vangeli with Health Care for All who reviewed how the bill was developed, gained support, and was passed.