Culture, Community, and Care: Hispanic Heritage Month and HIV Awareness

National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from September 15 to October 15, celebrates the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino/a/x communities. It also reinforces awareness of HIV’s disproportionate impact on these populations and the essential role of culturally responsive care.

For people living with or at risk for HIV, affirming identity and addressing cultural and language barriers are essential to improving health outcomes. Providers play a vital role by creating welcoming spaces, offering linguistically appropriate services, and tailoring HIV prevention and treatment strategies to community needs.

By honoring heritage while prioritizing health equity, we can strengthen HIV prevention, care, and support for Latino/a/x communities — ensuring that celebration and wellness go hand in hand.

On-Demand Webinar from EBTI: HIV and the Latino/a/x Community 

Gain the tools you need to more effectively engage Latino/a/x communities in HIV services through a culturally responsive framework. Explore the diversity within Latino/a/x populations, uncover how social determinants of health create barriers, and walk away with proven strategies for outreach, testing, and retention. Plus, discover tailored approaches to better support Latina women and girls in care.

Please note that continuing education credits are not available for this webinar.

Spotlight on Upcoming Trainings

Thriving in Uncertainty: Strategies for Sustaining HIV Prevention in DC
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 12:00pm Eastern

This webinar will provide practical, actionable strategies to help leaders assess their organizations, identify vulnerabilities and opportunities, and chart a path toward sustainability. Participants will also learn innovative approaches to diversifying funding streams and building adaptive, future-ready organizations that can continue driving impact in the Washington, DC community.

1.0 credit/contact hour (CME, AAPA, ANCC, CPE, ASWB) is available for this webinar.

Earn Your Free HIV Prevention Certification
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm Eastern

Join us on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 for an engaging, in-person HIV prevention certification training at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel. During this interactive program, you’ll have the opportunity to earn either the HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ (HIVPCP) Certification or the HIV PrEP Navigation™ (HIVPNC) Certification and receive 4.50 free continuing educations credits.

HealthHIV proudly offers the nation’s only certification programs in HIV prevention, designed to equip providers and allied health professionals with the knowledge and tools to implement proven prevention strategies and support community members in their ongoing use of PrEP.

This live training fosters interprofessional collaboration by bringing together clinical and non-clinical providers to strengthen HIV prevention and PrEP services. It’s also your chance to learn from expert faculty, connect with peers, and elevate your professional expertise in a supportive, hands-on setting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to advance your HIV prevention practice and expand your impact.

Stability in Uncertain Times: Strengthening HIV Prevention Through Peer Workforce Investment
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 12:00pm Eastern

This webinar on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 12:00pm Eastern is designed to guide those in leadership roles at organizations focused on HIV, STIs, and harm reduction to recruit, retain, and develop peers as part of an effective public health prevention workforce. By understanding the value of peers, including them in programming, and integrating them into existing staff culture using evidence-based strategies, leaders can ensure sustainability within their teams and greater health outcomes for their clients.

Please note that continuing education credits are not available for this webinar.

NO-COST Technical Assistance

The Effi Barry Training Institute is dedicated to empowering current and prospective HAHSTA grantees and community-based organizations with the knowledge and tools to thrive. We offer targeted training and technical assistance across a variety of key areas. 

We provide technical assistance for: 

• Navigating the Fee-for-Service business process
• Mastering foundational HIV service competencies
• Advancing expertise in healthcare systems, data, and health informatics
• Implementing high-impact prevention strategies (including biomedical models)
• Integrating emerging evidence-based practices 

Our approach blends group-level training, hands-on boot camps, dynamic community forums, and tailored one-on-one consultations.

At HealthHIV, we believe in the power of holistic, patient-centered care. Our capacity-building efforts are designed to help organizations enhance patient outcomes, drive efficiencies, and maintain long-term sustainability. Through our innovative approach, we build robust, sustainable systems and services that address every stage of the HIV care continuum.

Submit a Technical Assistance Request form to connect with EBTI today or scan this QR code:

Self-Paced Trainings and Resources

Digital Resources and Courses:

• Health Literacy: Leveraging Tools to Enhance Client Outcomes – On-Demand Presentation
  This on-demand presentation from the Effi Barry Training Institute equips providers with practical strategies to strengthen client outcomes by addressing health literacy. Participants gain tools to identify barriers, recognize the impact of low health literacy, and apply evidence-based assessments—enhancing communication, engagement, and care delivery.
   
• Faith in Action: Empowering Hispanic Faith-Based Organizations in HIV Prevention – Online Module
  This online course from the Effi Barry Training Institute empowers providers and organizations to partner with Hispanic faith-based groups in HIV prevention. Participants explore the faith-community landscape in Latino/a/x populations, work through a process to assess and plan Strategic Religious Engagement, and gain tools to build collaborative relationships—so HIV prevention efforts can better reach and serve these faith-aligned communities.
   
• Populations at Risk: Where Are They? – Mapping Tool
  This digital mapping tool from the Effi Barry Training Institute helps providers and organizations locate and visualize HIV risk among priority populations. It combines epidemiological data with geographical mapping to identify “hot spots”—areas where people are at elevated risk due to factors like race/ethnicity, income, education, behavior, or access to services. By doing so, it supports targeted outreach, resource allocation, and strategic intervention planning to improve HIV prevention efforts.

Awareness Days in October

• October 10 – World Mental Health Day
  World Mental Health Day raises awareness about mental health and advocates for better access to care worldwide. For people living with HIV, addressing mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety is critical for treatment adherence and overall well-being.

• October 15 – National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
  Observed on the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, this day highlights the impact of HIV on Hispanic/Latino communities. It promotes HIV testing, prevention, and treatment while working to reduce stigma and increase awareness.

• October 16 – World Food Day
  World Food Day focuses on the importance of nutrition and ending hunger. For those living with HIV, access to healthy foods is essential to maintaining strong immune systems, managing treatment side effects, and supporting long-term health.

• October 19-25 - National Health Education Week
  National Health Education Week activities increase awareness of major public health issues and promote a better understanding of the role of health education and health promotion.

This project is funded wholly, or in part, by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA).