Sexually Transmitted Infections Program

HIV/STI Basics, Fact Sheets, & Tennessee Profiles

HIV Epidemiological Resources

HIV Fact Sheets

Tennessee Community Planning Regions

Southwest HIV Community Planning Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

West HIV Community Planning Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Middle HIV Community Planning Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Southeast HIV Community Planning Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

East HIV Community Planning Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

For Ryan White Transitional Grant Areas

Memphis Ryan White TGA - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Nashville Ryan White TGA - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

For Tennessee Public Health Regions

Note: Data suppression rules have been applied in order to prevent backcalculation and protect the confidentiality of persons living with HIV in Tennessee. HIV Surveillance Fact Sheets may not be available for Tennessee Public Health Regions with fewer than 500,000 residents.

Memphis/Shelby County Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

West Tennessee Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Mid-Cumberland Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Nashville/Davidson County Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Chattanooga/Hamilton County Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

East Tennessee Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

Knoxville/Knox County Public Health Region - HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet, 2022

STI Surveillance

Tennessee Yearly Profiles

2023 STI Epi Profile

2020 STI Epi Profile

2019 STD Epi Profile

2018 STD Epi Profile

2017 STD Epi Profile

National HIV Behavioral Surveillance - Memphis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance or NHBS system in 2003 to understand HIV risk behaviors and prevention programs among groups at risk for HIV infection. Over 20 US metropolitan statistical areas, including Memphis, Tennessee, take part in NHBS every year.

Each year or “cycle”, NHBS activities focus on one of three populations: men who have sex with men (“MSM”), heterosexually-active adults (“HET”) and people who inject drugs (“IDU”). A single cycle is repeated every three years. A standardized, anonymous questionnaire is used to collect information on HIV-related topics. HIV testing is offered to all participants.

Memphis’ project is known locally as TRUST Memphis. The Memphis MSA includes eight counties in three states: Shelby, Tipton and Fayette Counties in Tennessee; Tunica, Tate, DeSoto and Marshall Counties in Mississippi; and Crittenden County in Arkansas. NHBS has been continually operating in Memphis since 2016.

Memphis NHBS data reports:

• TDH Statewide 2022 NHBS presentation
• NHBS Memphis 2016-2018 Report.pdf
• NHBS Memphis HET 2019 Fact Sheet.pdf
• NHBS Memphis IDU 2018 Fact Sheet.pdf
• NHBS Memphis MSM 2017 Fact Sheet.pdf
• From CDC - NHBS Memphis IDU5 Fact Sheet.pdf
• From CDC - NHBS Memphis MSM5 Fact Sheet.pdf
• From CDC - NHBS Memphis HET4 Fact Sheet.pdf
• National Sexual Health Conference Memphis MSM 2017 Poster.pdf
• Memphis HET4, MSM5, IDU5 Summary Slides.pdf

HIV Data Dashboard

This interactive tool contains state, regional and county level data on persons newly diagnosed with HIV, persons living with diagnosed HIV and deaths among persons with diagnosed HIV.

Additional Resources

HIV Community Planning in Tennessee

HIV community planning in Tennessee is based on a grassroots system that empowers local, community-based stakeholders to guide how state and federal dollars are spent and to shape emerging state prevention efforts. 

Each of the six regions across the state has a Community Planning Group (CPG). These groups meet regularly within their communities and have standing by-laws and operating procedures. These groups inform HIV Prevention and Ryan White (Parts A and B) efforts in their regions.

Tennessee Community Planning Groups (from West to East):

Southwest: The HIV Care and Planning Group (or HCAP). Learn more about HCAP here. Click here to email the Planning Council Manager for the Shelby County Ryan White Part A Program.

West: The West Tennessee HIV/AIDS Partnership (or West TN CHAP). Learn more about West TN CHAP.

Middle: The Middle Tennessee HIV/AIDS Partnership (or Middle TN CHAP). Learn more about Middle TN CHAP.

Nashville: The Nashville Transitional Grant Area Ryan White Part A Planning Council. Click here to learn more about the Nashville Part A Planning Council.

Southeast: The Southeast Tennessee HIV/AIDS Partnership (or Southeast TN CHAP). Learn more about Southeast TN CHAP.

East: The East Tennessee HIV/AIDS Partnership (or East TN CHAP). Learn more about East TN CHAP.

End the Syndemic Tennessee

End the Syndemic Tennessee is a community-informed initiative to address the interconnected epidemics of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, substance use disorder, and viral hepatitis. The Syndemic Coordination Program at TDH contributes to this work by partnering with internal and external partners on crosscutting projects to address this syndemic in Tennessee, by providing capacity building and technical assistance related to syndemic program implementation, and by overseeing Tennessee’s syringe services programs (SSP).

Learn more about End the Syndemic Tennessee here.

Click here to contact End the Syndemic Tennessee.

Ending the HIV Epidemic, Shelby County

Ending the HIV Epidemic Shelby County (also called End HIV 901) is a community-based collaborative that seeks to reduce the number of new HIV diagnoses in Shelby County. The effort’s goals are to reduce new diagnoses by 75% by 2025 and by 90% by 2030, which would result in the prevention of 250,000 new HIV diagnoses.

The effort’s strategy is outlined in the End HIV 901 Plan: Health and Harmony in the 901.

Click here to subscribe for Ending the HIV Epidemic updates.

HIV Counseling & Testing

HIV testing is available all over Tennessee through health department clinics, HIV Prevention Coalition partners, Syringe Services programs, independent clinics, and community-based organizations.

HIV Testing through Health Department Clinics

Regional and metro health department clinics all over Tennessee offer lab-based HIV testing and linkage to care services. Testing is free at regional health departments and low-cost at metro health departments. Lab-based testing can detect HIV more quickly and can be used if a person is receiving both positive and negative results when using rapid HIV tests (a sign of the early stages of HIV). This testing comes with expert support to navigate you to treatment if you get a positive HIV test result. Specialized staff can help you leverage a wide range of resources to cover the costs of your care.

Click here for a list of regional health departments.

The following health department clinics provide low-cost rapid HIV testing to qualifying clients:

• Shelby County Health Department
• Metro Public Health Department Nashville

Please contact the health department directly for more information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) maintains a national database of HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis testing providers called GetTested.

Click here to visit GetTested and find an HIV testing provider near you.

HIV Testing through the HIV Prevention Coalition

HIV Prevention Coalition partners offer HIV testing at their facilities. They provide HIV testing support through their local networks of clinics and community-based agencies.

For more information, contact the HIV Prevention Coalition partner in your area:

Southwest: Friends for All, Le Bonheur/Methodist Community HIV Network

West: Children and Family Services

Middle: Nashville CARES

Southeast: Cempa Community Care

Northeast: Choice Health Network

HIV Testing Through Syringe Services Programs

HIV testing is available at all syringe services program locations. Click here to learn more about syringe services and find locations near you.

HIV Rapid Testing Locations in Tennessee

Rapid HIV testing is available at community-based organizations all over the state. Rapid HIV testing uses a small amount of blood and gives results in 20 minutes or less. See below for a list of locations.

HIV Prevention in Local Communities

Each year, the Tennessee Department of Health’s HIV Prevention Program allocates funding for evidence-based HIV prevention activities to at least one organization in each of the five Ryan White Part B planning regions.

These activities include condom distribution, PrEP (which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis) navigation, HIV prevention services for people living with HIV (including rapid linkage to care and supportive services), Partner Services for the partners of people living with HIV, syringe services, and peer support for people vulnerable to HIV.

Tennessee HIV Prevention Coalition

The 2025 HIV Prevention Coalition partners are:

Southwest: Friends for All, Le Bonheur/Methodist Community HIV Network

West: Children and Family Services

Middle: Nashville CARES

Southeast: Cempa Community Care

Northeast: Choice Health Network

The HIV Prevention Coalition agencies work with local partners in their regions to ensure that HIV screening, prevention supplies, and prevention activities are as accessible as possible, including a network of funded syringe services programs. They work in collaboration with Ryan White Part B and A programs to ensure Tennesseans who are diagnosed with HIV have full access to HIV medical care and supportive services.

HIV Testing

HIV testing is available through health department clinics, HIV Prevention Coalition partners, and Syringe Services programs.

Click here to learn more about HIV testing in Tennessee.

Click here to learn more about HIV testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or the CDC).

Condom Distribution

Condom distribution is available through health department clinics, HIV Prevention Coalition partners, and Syringe Services programs.

Click here to learn more about using condoms to prevent HIV from the CDC.

Regional and metro health department clinics all over Tennessee provide condoms to members of their local communities through the Condom Distribution program.

Click here for a list of regional health departments.

HIV Prevention Coalition partners provide condoms through community distribution. Condoms are regularly distributed to local bars, clubs, community organizations, community health centers, barbershops, beauty shops, tattoo parlors, homeless service organizations, and many other locations across each region.

For more information, contact the HIV Prevention Coalition partner in your area:

Southwest: Friends for All, Le Bonheur/Methodist Community HIV Network

West: Children and Family Services

Middle: Nashville CARES

Southeast: Cempa Community Care

Northeast: Choice Health Network

Condoms are available at all syringe services program locations. Click here to learn more about syringe services and find locations near you.

PrEP and PEP Navigation

PrEP (or pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV when taken correctly. PEP (or post-exposure prophylaxis) can be taken within 72 hours of sex or syringe-sharing to prevent HIV.

To support people in accessing PrEP and PEP, there is a statewide network of PrEP/PEP navigators. These navigators are trained to connect people to accurate information about PrEP and PEP, to medical providers that can prescribe PrEP and PEP, to pharmacies that can fill PrEP and PEP prescriptions, and to cost assistance resources.

In Tennessee people can learn more about PrEP and PEP through health department clinics, HIV Prevention Coalition partners, and Syringe Services programs.

Click here to learn more about preventing HIV with PrEP from the CDC.

PrEP and PEP through Health Departments

All health department clinics provide information about and referrals for PrEP and PEP. Click here for a list of regional health departments.

The following health department clinics provide PrEP and PEP navigation and medical care:

Shelby County Health Department

Jackson/Madison County Health Department

Metro Public Health Department Nashville

PrEP and PEP through HIV Prevention Coalition

HIV Prevention Coalition partners provide PrEP and PEP navigation services.

For more information, contact the HIV Prevention Coalition partner in your area:

Southwest: Friends for All, Le Bonheur/Methodist Community HIV Network

West: Children and Family Services

Middle: Nashville CARES

Southeast: Cempa Community Care

Northeast: Choice Health Network

PrEP and PEP through Syringe Services Programs

Syringe Services programs provide information about PrEP and PEP and referrals for medical care and navigation. Click here to learn more about syringe services and find locations near you.

Find PrEP and PEP resources in your area.

PrEP Locator is a national database of medical providers and navigators for PrEP and PEP. Click here to visit PrEP Locator.

HIV Prevention Services for People Living with HIV

U=U, or Undetectable = Untransmittable, is the most effective form of HIV prevention for people living with HIV. It is the treatment goal for people living with HIV.

A person living with HIV can take HIV treatment medication and attend medical monitoring appointments to suppress the HIV virus to the degree that it is undetectable. Undetectable HIV cannot develop into AIDS and does not require HIV medication regimen changes to control.

When undetectable HIV is maintained for six months or more, the person living with HIV becomes untransmittable. This means that it is impossible for HIV to pass to other people during sex.

To support people living with HIV in achieving U=U, health department clinics, Centers of Excellence clinics, and HIV Prevention Coalition partners offer medical, navigation, and social support services.

Click here to learn more about U=U from the CDC.

If you are a Tennessee health care or social services provider, click here to learn more about U=U.

If you are a Tennessee resident who wants to learn more about HIV, click here for resources in English.

If you are a Tennessee resident who wants to learn more about HIV, click here for resources in Spanish.

Partner Services through Health Departments

Partner Services includes a wide range of medical, prevention, and psychosocial services for the partners of people who are living with HIV. In Tennessee, Partner Services is conducted by Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS), supervisors, and managers assigned to county and metro health departments.

This team of staff ensures that people who are at elevated risk for HIV through connection with a person living with HIV receive access to:

• Confidential counseling and testing
• Support linking to HIV treatment
• Eligibility assessment for Ryan White services
• Partner notification, partner referral, and partner testing
• Health education and patient counseling
• Partner Services are available at all health department clinics. Click here for a list of regional health departments.

HIV Centers of Excellence

The HIV Centers of Excellence offer clinical and social services through an integrated model. These agencies are designed to meet the needs of people with HIV who have limited ability to pay for care, other health conditions alongside HIV, or who need basic needs met (like housing or transportation) to thrive in HIV treatment. These facilities provide seamless access to HIV medical care and supportive services.

Click here for a full list of HIV Centers of Excellence in Tennessee.

Early Intervention Services and Case Management

Early Intervention Services, or EIS, are support services for people new to an HIV diagnosis who are seeking HIV medical care for the first time. The staff who provide them are trained to provide clients with local HIV care options, connect clients to financial resources to pay for care, and to link clients to supportive services.

All health department clinics provide Early Intervention Services alongside Partner Services. Click here for a list of regional health departments.

Case management for people with HIV is available through Ryan White Part B and Part A partners and through Centers of Excellence facilities. People with HIV are paired with a dedicated case manager who keeps them connected to medical care, explores financial resources to pay for care, and links them to supportive services to meet their needs.

Click here to find HIV case management and early intervention services in Tennessee.

For case management and EIS providers in Davidson county click here.

Services for People New to an HIV Diagnosis

The first month after a person is diagnosed with HIV can be a stressful time. Starting HIV medical care, paying for HIV medical care, adjusting to the new routine of taking HIV treatment medication, learning about HIV as a chronic condition, and getting support from friends and family can all be challenging tasks. Starting HIV care as soon as possible after diagnosis is a proven way to avoid health complications from HIV.

In addition to the resources listed above, there are several services provided specifically to people new to an HIV diagnosis.

Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Access to Services (ARTAS)

ARTAS is an evidence-based linkage to care service where a person new to HIV is paired with a trained linkage coordinator. The trained linkage coordinator can work with the patient for the first month after their diagnosis, connect the patient to medical care and supportive services, and answer questions the patient has after their first HIV medical appointment.

ARTAS is available through HIV Prevention Coalition partners in the Southwest and East regions:

Southwest: Le Bonheur/Methodist Community HIV Network

Northeast: Choice Health Network

Healthy Relationships

Healthy Relationships is a peer support service that connects people new to HIV with small groups of their peers to discuss, troubleshoot, and support one another in disclosing their HIV status to family, friends, and sexual partners in the larger process of building healthier personal relationships.

Healthy Relationships is available through HIV Prevention Coalition partner in the Middle region:

Middle: Nashville CARES

Healthy Relationships may be available to people who live outside the Middle region through virtual facilitation. Please contact the partner agency directly for more information.

HIV Prevention Services for People Vulnerable to HIV

PrEP, PEP, condoms, using sterile syringes, and avoiding syringe sharing and specific sexual activities are all proven ways to avoid HIV. Getting routine HIV testing is recommended for all adults and teens engaged in activities where HIV can spread.

Click here to learn more about HIV prevention from the CDC.

In addition to these services, HIV Prevention Coalition partners also provide opportunities for people to connect with peers for support in building and maintaining safe and healthy habits. These peer support activities combine education about HIV, STIs, harm reduction, and viral hepatitis with social support.

Please contact the HIV Prevention Coalition partner in your area for more information:

Southwest: Friends for All, Le Bonheur/Methodist Community HIV Network

West: Children and Family Services

Middle: Nashville CARES

Southeast: Cempa Community Care

Northeast: Choice Health Network

HIV Counseling and Testing Provider Information

The Tennessee Department of Health’s HIV Testing Program provides guidance, support, and resources for health departments, health care providers, and community-based organizations.

Reporting Reactive/Positive HIV Test Results

All laboratories, health care providers, and organizations that provide HIV testing are required by law to report positive results to Tennessee Department of Health.

Click here for more information about the health, safety, and environmental protection law.

HIV is only one of many communicable diseases that is reportable. Communicable diseases spread from person to person. Prompt reporting of a communicable disease can allow public health officials to locate and treat exposed persons, identify and contain outbreaks, and interrupt disease transmission. The information obtained from disease reporting is also used to monitor disease trends, identify high risk groups, develop policy, and design prevention programs.

Click here for a full list of reportable diseases in Tennessee, reporting forms, and additional resources.

To report a new HIV positive test result, please use the PH-1600 reporting form. If this is your first time reporting a positive HIV test result or if you have questions, please contact Tennessee Department of Health’s HIV Testing Program for assistance.

For facilities who run a large volume of HIV tests and routinely report positive results, it is possible to report online.

Click here for the full reporting guidance for Tennessee health care providers.

Click here for the full reporting guidance for laboratories serving Tennessee residents.

Rapid HIV Testing Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Health has issued guidance around providing rapid HIV testing. The Double Rapid HIV Testing Guidelines include the current point-of-care double rapid HIV testing algorithm, information about reporting rapid HIV testing results, policy and legal considerations for HIV rapid testing providers in Tennessee, and quality assurance best practices for HIV rapid testing programs. These guidelines are designed for health care providers and community-based organizations.

A double rapid HIV testing program guidance for health departments in Tennessee can be obtained by contacting the HIV Prevention Testing Program.

Non-clinical HIV testing sites using rapid HIV tests must obtain a certificate of waiver under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) or must establish an agreement to work under the CLIA certificate of an existing laboratory.

Click here for more information about the CLIA Certificate of Waiver from the CDC.

Click here to learn more about Tennessee’s CLIA requirements.

The HIV Prevention Testing Program offers technical assistance on how to apply for a CLIA Waiver to conduct rapid HIV testing. For more information contact the HIV Prevention Testing Program.

National Resources to Support HIV Testing Programs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or the CDC) offers many free resources to support HIV testing:

• HIV Nexus for Clinicians: Effective HIV prevention and treatment occurs across a continuum of care. This comprehensive approach spanning from HIV screening to treatment can help reduce HIV transmission and improve health outcomes for people with HIV (PWH). The CDC HIV Nexus is a one-stop location for information across the HIV continuum, including up-to-date tools and guidelines for your practice, and educational materials for your patients. Click here to visit CDC's HIV Nexus for Clinicians.
• HIV Testing in Non-Clinical Settings: Non-clinical settings like community-based organizations can play a critical role in HIV prevention by offering HIV screening and linkage-to-care. Non-clinical settings typically offer same-day rapid testing and other HIV prevention services (like free condoms and referrals for PrEP). Click here to access CDC’s guidance on providing HIV testing in non-clinical settings. Click here for a roundup of resources to support this work from the CDC.
• HIV Testing Guidelines: CDC has HIV testing guidelines for working with specific types of patients, implementing HIV testing in a wide range of situations, and for providing laboratory testing and patient counseling. For a full list of CDC HIV testing guidelines, click here.

Local Resources to Support HIV Testing Programs

AIDS Education and Training Centers

A national network of AIDS Education and Training Centers (also called AETCs) provide training for clinicians and public health professionals:

• National AIDS Education and Training Center Network: The National AETC connects professionals to the nationwide network of AETCs. Click here to visit the National AETC.
• Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center: The Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center (also called SEAETC) serves HIV clinicians and public health professionals in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Registration is free and gives you access to a self-paced online learning curriculum, a library of webinars conducted by Southern HIV specialists, opportunities for continuing education credit, and a lot more. Click here to visit SEAETC.
• SEAETC runs IMPACT, the Interactive Learning to Strengthen HIV Care and End the Epidemic. Click here to get a free IMPACT account and start taking courses.
• SEAETC runs webinars on topics of interest for HIV testing providers in collaboration with experts from all over the region. Click here to access archived webinars.
• SEAETC provides opportunities for HIV public health professionals to earn Continuing Education credits (or CEs). Click here to learn more about CE opportunities through SEAETC.

HIV Tester Training through Tennessee Department of Health

Tennessee Department of Health runs a Capacity Building Assistance Program (or CBA Program) for public health professionals working on HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis. The CBA Program runs live, instructor-led courses and online, self-paced training. Continuing Education credits are available for live and self-paced education.

Click here to visit the CBA Program webpage.

All online, self-paced courses are hosted on Tennessee TRAIN, an online hub of professional training for public health professionals.

Click here to visit Tennessee TRAIN.

HIV Education, Access, and Testing Training

The HIV Education, Access, and Testing Training (also called HEAT training) is required certification for HIV testing programs who receive funding or test supplies from Tennessee Department of Health. It is required training for Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) in health departments in the state of Tennessee. It is highly recommended for all facilities providing HIV testing.

This training is conducted in partnership with community-based organizations to ensure that the most updated, culturally appropriate content is provided. 

Click here for more information about HEAT training and a schedule of upcoming HEAT training events.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program was established under the AIDS Housing Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 12901) in 1990. HOPWA is the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The program helps states and localities develop long-term strategies to provide housing and supportive services for low-income people with HIV, reducing homelessness risk and improving access to care. 

Program Administration

The Tennessee Department of Health administers HOPWA and receives annual formula grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Department contracts with Project Sponsor(s) for the delivery of services in 80 Tennessee counties. The Department's HOPWA service area does not include 15 counties in the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area and three counties in the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area. 

Planning & Reporting

The Department of Health works with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to administer the four formula grants from HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Program, Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) and HOPWA. As a requirement of receiving funds, each award recipient must submit annual updates and status reports regarding grantee performance.  This information is integrated into an annual Consolidated Planning document and submitted to HUD.

In addition, each award participant must submit an updated status report HUD Form -40110-D. The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) provides annual performance reporting on client outputs and outcomes that enable an assessment of grantee performance in achieving the housing stability outcome measure. The CAPER, in conjunction with the Integrated Disbursement Information System (IDIS), fulfills statutory and regulatory program reporting requirements and provides the grantee and HUD with the necessary information to assess the overall program performance and accomplishments against planned goals and objectives.

Service Providers

HOPWA applicants were awarded funding through a competitive application process In 2022, the Department awarded funding to the following HOPWA applicants in a competitive application process: Chattanooga CARES, Children and Family Services, Columbia CARES, Frontier Health/HOPE for TN, Nashville CARES, Positively Living - Knox, and Positively Living - Upper Cumberland. The Department further authorizes HOPWA-approved activities for: 

Administrative Costs
Indirect costs for management, oversight, evaluation, and reporting are capped at 3% of the total grant over its life. Project sponsor administrative costs are limited to 7% of their awarded amount.

STRMU – Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance
Provides short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to income-eligible households with HIV experiencing a financial crisis, to prevent homelessness. Assistance is limited to 21 weeks within any 52-week period and applies only to households already housed.

TBRA – Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Provides rental subsidies to low-income households with HIV while they secure permanent housing. Households pay an income-based portion of rent, with HOPWA covering the balance. Gross rent must not exceed the rent standard or reasonable rent.

Supportive Services (SS)
Non-medical services that help stabilize housing and address care needs, including case management, benefits coordination, legal services, life skills, nutrition, outreach, and transportation. Services may be provided with housing assistance or as stand-alone support.

Housing Case Management (CM)
A core supportive service focused on housing stability, including housing needs assessment, stabilization planning, and coordination of health care and other resources. May be provided with housing assistance or as a stand-alone service.

PHP – Permanent Housing Placement
Assists households in establishing permanent housing. Eligible costs include application fees, credit checks, utility hookups, and security deposits up to two months’ rent.

FBHA – Facility-Based Housing Assistance
Unit-specific housing assistance limited to Short-Term Supportive Housing (STSH) and Transitional Supportive Housing (TSH).

STSH – Short-Term Supportive Housing
Temporary housing (e.g., emergency shelter or hotel/motel) for households experiencing or at risk of homelessness while pursuing permanent housing. Assistance is limited to 60 days in any six-month period.

HIS – Housing Information Services
Counseling, information, and referrals to help households locate, obtain, and maintain housing, including fair housing guidance.

RI – Resource Identification
Activities to develop, coordinate, and assess housing resources and initiatives for eligible households.

Applicant Requirements

Low–income individuals medically diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, and their families, are eligible to receive HOPWA funded assistance. Applicants are screened for eligibility based on jurisdiction and household income levels. The amount of household income to be eligible may change annually by HUD, and therefore requires the disclosure of all family income to HOPWA personnel to identify eligibility status.  Failure to provide the required documentation will result in a denial of HOPWA services until documentation is presented.

Additional Information

Contact: HOPWA Director Amanda Barry, (615) 532-7914

This 2024 Tennessee State Map  includes detials and locations about HOPWA Service Providers in Tennessee.

Partner and Provider Resources

Screening & Testing 

2024 Double Rapid HIV Testing Guidelines from the Tennessee Department of Health

2025 PH-1600 Form Notifiable Disease Case Report for Hospitals, Physicians, Laboratories
This form may also be acquired from the local/county health departments and regional health offices. Please note that Form PH-1600 may be copied using any copy machine.

Sexual Partner Information Questionnaire

CDC STI Screening Recommendations Should Be Tested?

CDC HIV Guidelines and Recommendations

2021 CDC STD Treatment Guidelines

CDC Control and Prevention Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

CDC Provider Resources

Training

The HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis Capacity Building Assistance Program provides training and technical assistance to health departments and community-based organizations who provide HIV and STI prevention and care services. Self-paced online training and live, instructor-led courses are available year-round.

Self-Paced Training Online

Free, self-paced courses on HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and harm reduction are available through the Tennessee TRAIN Learning Network. TN TRAIN is free and CEUs are available for online courses. Make an account and then click the links below to take our current courses.

Tennessee TRAIN New User Resources

All courses require that you register in the Tennessee TRAIN Learning Network. Registration is free, and your certificates for all courses and earned CEs are available through TRAIN.

If you are new to TN TRAIN and need some help signing up, check out these TN TRAIN New User Tutorials.

Still need help? Contact the HSVH CBA Team.

Live, Instructor-Led Course Schedule

Live, instructor-led courses are added to the course schedule each quarter. Register for a course by clicking the registration link on the course schedule. If you have questions about how to register for a course, contact the HSVH CBA Team.

Schedule Key for Continuing Education (CE) Credits: (CNE) Continuing Nursing Education, (CPH) Certified Public Health, (CPRS) Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, (CHES) Certified Health Education Specialist

Location Information

Virtual training information and locations for in-person courses are provided to registered participants. Hybrid courses are mostly virtual, with one in-person component (device training). If you would like to take a hybrid course fully virtually, please contact us (HSVH.CBA@tn.gov).

All live, instructor-led courses have a set number of seats and will close when full. If you have a question about an upcoming course, please contact the Capacity Building Assistance Program.

Courses with CEUs require additional steps beyond registration to earn CEUs. Your training team will provide you more information when you register. Failure to complete these steps in a timely manner may make it impossible to earn CEUs.

To get notified when new courses are announced, click here to register for the weekly HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis email update.

CBA Course Descriptions

HEAT Training - HIV Education, Access, and Testing Training

HEAT Training is the required certification for HIV testers who receive HIV test kits from TDH and for Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) working in Tennessee health departments. Delivered in partnership with community-based organizations, the training emphasizes current, culturally responsive best practices.

Participants learn to:

• Provide HIV prevention counseling
• Deliver positive, negative, and invalid test results
• Work effectively with clients of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations
• Administer up to three rapid HIV test devices
• Link newly diagnosed clients to HIV care using Rapid Testing Guidelines
• Report HIV testing data to local and state health departments

View upcoming in-person and virtual trainings on the course schedule above. To stay informed about trainings, sign up for the HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis United Way Weekly Bulletin.

Priority registration: Tennessee health department staff, HIV Prevention Coalition staff, and individuals funded through state or federal HIV prevention programs.

PrEP Navigation Training

To expand access to PrEP statewide, TDH offers training and funding for PrEP Navigators. This certification provides foundational knowledge of PrEP, including eligibility, effectiveness, and basic information on PEP and U=U.

The training also builds practical skills in:

• Case management and patient education
• Motivational interviewing
• Taking an affirming sexual history
• Condom use demonstration
• Connecting clients to local medical and financial resources

The 3-day PrEP Navigation Certification Course is offered twice yearly.

Priority registration: Tennessee health department staff, HIV Prevention Coalition staff, and individuals funded through state or federal PrEP navigation programs.

View the current list of TDH-funded PrEP Navigators in Tennessee [here].

PrEP in the Health Department Training

This training supports the goal of increasing PrEP access in every Tennessee county and is designed for health department staff involved in HIV/STI prevention and treatment, such as nurses and DIS.

The course covers:

• Current PrEP and PEP medication regimens
• Recent research on PrEP effectiveness
• Skill-building activities for working with populations disproportionately impacted by HIV

The 1-day certification course is offered twice yearly.

Priority registration: Tennessee health department staff.

Please note:

This training is not intended for PHOA/PHOS staff, who should complete the self-paced PrEP Basics course on TN TRAIN.

This course is not appropriate for providers seeking PrEP prescribing training. Prescriber training is available through the HSVH Capacity Building Assistance Program.

Harm Reduction Training

Harm reduction is an evidence-based, community-driven approach that supports the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs (PWUD). TDH’s Harm Reduction Training equips community organizations and health department staff to better address the unique healthcare needs of this population.

The training emphasizes HIV, STI, viral hepatitis prevention and care, substance use, and syndemic-related health needs through interactive discussion and activities.

The course is offered quarterly.

Priority registration: Tennessee health department staff, HIV Prevention Coalition staff, syringe services program staff, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, TN Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS), and individuals funded through federal HIV prevention programs.

Linkage to Care Training

Linkage to Care includes public health activities that connect people living with HIV to medical care and supportive services. While often initiated at diagnosis, linkage can occur at any point when someone is reconnected to HIV treatment.

This training focuses on:

• Key linkage to care concepts and terminology
• Early Intervention Services (EIS) and Re-engagement
• Engaging newly diagnosed clients in their first steps into care

The course is offered quarterly for funded Ryan White Part B providers in Tennessee.

Priority registration: Ryan White Part B staff, Tennessee health department staff, HIV Prevention Coalition staff, and individuals funded through state or federal HIV prevention programs. Ryan White Part A linkage and re-engagement staff are also welcome.

Corrections Navigation Training

Corrections Navigation supports people living with HIV as they transition from incarceration back into the community. Trained HIV Corrections Navigators help clients start or resume HIV treatment and connect to supportive services such as housing, food, and employment.

This training covers:

• The Corrections Navigation Roadmap and Protocol
• HIV workforce roles in Tennessee
• Strategies for engaging clients into HIV care

The course is offered quarterly for funded Ryan White Part B providers.

Priority registration: Corrections Navigation staff and individuals funded through state or federal HIV prevention programs.

Capacity Building Partner Programs

TDH works in partnership to leverage national and regional resources that increase the quality and quantity of professional development opportunities available to the members of the HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis public health workforce in Tennessee.The partnerships listed below require that users create a log in, but otherwise are low (and in most cases) no cost options for staff development training.

Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center (SE AETC)

SE AETC serves the HIV/AIDS educational needs of health care and social service providers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It offers comprehensive, collaborative educational opportunities designed to increase the size and strength of the HIV workforce. It is one of eight training centers founded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to provide training and facilitate dissemination of rapidly changing information about HIV/AIDS for service providers.

Click on the links to learn more about SE AETC Online Learning Curriculum and the bank of SE AETC archived webinars.

CDC TRAIN Learning Network

The TRAIN Learning Network is powered by the Public Health Foundation and works with the Centers for Disease Control and a national group of affiliate health agencies to make training courses, conference presentations, skill-building webinars, and certification training available online at little (and in most cases) no cost.

Click the link to learn more about CDC TRAIN.

For HIV Prevention partners running high-impact evidence-based interventions please contact the Capacity Building Assistance Program to learn how you can access the HIV CBA Training Plan through CDC TRAIN.

National HIV Classroom Learning Center (NHCLC)

The National HIV Classroom Learning Center (NHCLC) provides training and resources to help health care agencies reduce new HIV infections by implementing interventions that are evidence based and supposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NHCLC training topics include: ARTAS, HIV testing in non-clinical settings, HIV testing in retail pharmacies, cultural humility, HIV navigation services, serving transgender populations, motivational interviewing, social network strategies, and many others.

Click the link to learn more about the National HIV Classroom Learning Center.

Information on Tennessee Syringe Services Programs

Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) provide comprehensive harm reduction services including providing free sterile needles, syringes, and other injection equipment; safe disposal containers; HIV and viral hepatitis testing and linkage to treatment; overdose prevention and education; referrals to substance use disorder treatment, medical providers, and social services; and HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis prevention education. The table below provides contact and location information for each agency approved to operate an SSP in Tennessee. Operating days and times are subject to change. For more information, email ssp.health@tn.gov.

Tennessee SSP Locations

Syringe Services Program Application

The application links below are for those seeking to establish and operate a Syringe Services Program in Tennessee. The program itself and any operating location(s) must be approved by the Tennessee Department of Health before operations begin. 

A nongovernmental program or local health department that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health vulnerabilities associated with drug use, may apply to establish and operate a syringe services program. Please review Tennessee's legislation, T.C.A Title 68, Chapter 1, prior to applying.

• Non-governmental program application at this link: https://redcap.link/TNSSPApp
• Local health department application at this link: https://redcap.link/TNHDSSPApp

Links and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Syringe Services Programs

Tennessee STI Related Laws

For information regarding the current Tennessee laws relating to Sexually Transmitted Diseases, simply locate your area of interest and click on the topic:

HIV and Hepatitis C Outbreaks Due to Injection Drug Use

County-Level Vulnerability Tennessee, 2021 Update

Rising drug overdose deaths in Tennessee may be a sign of changing drug-related behaviors, such as increases in injection drug use and/or the types of drugs being injected. This raises the potential for rapid transmission of certain infections that could result in an HIV or HCV outbreak among persons who inject drugs.

To evaluate county-level vulnerability to an outbreak, the Tennessee Department of Health examined socio-economic factors, indicators of opioid-related drug use, access to healthcare, and health outcomes in Tennessee. Ten measures were used to assess the vulnerability of each county in Tennessee:

What this means: Socioeconomic status, health outcomes, treatment access, and opioid prescribing may be driving Tennessee’s vulnerability to HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV) outbreaks. By sharing this information with local stakeholders, policymakers, and program planners, additional resources can be committed to provide the evidence-based services to prevent HIV and HCV transmission.