How to Request Technical Assistance

Sera Morgan

Department of Health and Human ServicesHealth Resources and Services

AdministrationHIV/AIDS Bureau

Division of Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Programs

What is Technical Assistance?

A collaborative model of assistance and support designed to:

• Identify, select, or design evidence-based solutions to address problems, needs or goals

• Adopt or adapt knowledge to practice• Effectively implement solutions

customized to meet the needs of clients

Who pays for it? • HAB National Technical

Assistance Contract

Part A grant funds

Grantee training funds

Other sources

1. Grantee or HAB advocated

2. Diagnostic

3. Follow-up to site visit

4. Short term management assistance

5. Peer-to-peer TA

Types of On-site TA

Other Resources or Types of TA

• Reverse site visits • Conference Calls with your PO,

subject experts, or peers • Websites: www.careacttarget.org• Conferences and meetings, e.g., The

Ryan White All Grantees Meeting • Tools from peer grantees

Who can request TA?

•The Grantee

•The Project Officer or other HAB official

•Other Federal officials such as the Grants Management Specialist or staff from the Office of Regional Operations

Common TA Subject Areas

• Data collection and reporting

• Management /payment of subcontractors

• Compliance with National Monitoring Standards or Ryan White legislation

• Needs Assessment work

• Program evaluation

• EIIHA • Budget • Planning Council

issues, e,g, Bylaws, training, consumer involvement, committee productivity

How do we know when to

request TA

To Request TA or Not to Request TA?

These are the questions 1. What is the problem? Create problem statement 2. Are there tools available to help us address the

problem? 3. Is the problem specific to one particular grantee?

Or is it a common challenge that has been addressed by many other grantees?

4. What specific type of expertise is needed? 5. What specific outcomes are expected from TA? 6. Would on-site TA improve the outcomes? Or

would conference call(s) work?

Step 1: With your PO1. Create Problem

Statement 2. Identify Type of TA

needed3. Identify the type of

expertise needed and the ideal provider of TA (e.g., peer, consultant, HAB staff)

4. Identify measurable outcomes of the TA

5. Determine Timeframe – number of days on site, schedule of conference calls

Steps 2 – 6 2. PO submits formal TA request on

behalf of grantee3. Dates, consultants, methodology are

set4. Agenda is created, vetted, finalized 5. TA is delivered6. Conference call debriefing

Steps 7 – 9

7. Grantee receives summary report with findings and recommendations or instructions

8. Grantee responds to report (e.g., corrective action plan)

9. PO monitors follow-up

Outcomes – A Must!

• Your Project Officer will document whether the technical assistance resulted in the needed change in your program

• Monitor your program to ensure that the change is sustained over time

HAB Wants You to Succeed

If you need technical assistance, ask for it!

Contact Information

Sera MorganProject Officer

Phone: 301-443-2621Email: smorgan@hrsa.gov