Chapter 13.6. Public Health Demonstration Projects of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 105. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 13.6.

(a) There are hereby established public health demonstration projects to allow for innovative, evidence-based approaches to provide outreach, HIV and hepatitis C screenings, and linkage to, and retention in, quality health care for the most vulnerable and underserved individuals with a high risk for HIV infection.
  (b) The demonstration projects may operate for a period of up to two years. The department shall implement up to four demonstration projects. The demonstration projects shall be designed to be capable of replication and expansion on a statewide basis.
  (c) After conclusion of the demonstration projects, the department shall review the effectiveness of each demonstration project and make a determination of whether the demonstration project model can be implemented on a statewide basis.

Upon an appropriation for this purpose in the annual Budget Act, the department shall award funding, on a competitive basis, to a community-based organization or local health jurisdiction to operate a demonstration project pursuant to this chapter. The department shall determine the funding levels of each demonstration project based on scope and geographic area. An applicant shall demonstrate each of the following qualifications:
  (a) Leadership on access to HIV care and testing issues and experience addressing the needs of highly marginalized populations in accessing medical and HIV care and support.
  (b) Experience with the target population or relationships with community-based organizations or nongovernmental organizations, or both, that demonstrate expertise, history, and credibility working successfully in engaging the target population.
  (c) Experience working with nontraditional collaborators who work within and beyond the field of HIV/AIDS education and outreach, including areas of reproductive health, housing, immigration, and mental health.
  (d) Strong relationships with community-based HIV health care providers that have the trust of the targeted populations.
  (e) Strong relationships with the state and local health departments.
  (f) Capacity to coordinate a communitywide planning phase involving multiple community collaborators.
  (g) Experience implementing evidence-based programs or generating innovative strategies, or both, with at least preliminary evidence of program effectiveness.
  (h) Administrative systems and accountability mechanisms for grant management.
  (i) Capacity to participate in evaluation activities.
  (j) Strong communication systems that are in place to participate in public relations activities.

Each demonstration project shall prepare and disseminate information regarding best practices for, and the lessons learned regarding, providing outreach and education to the most vulnerable and underserved individuals with a high risk for HIV infection for use by providers, the Office of AIDS, State Department of Public Health, federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, and other national HIV/AIDS groups.