This course is based on a community-based outreach model originally developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and has been updated to reflect current evidence, public health guidance, and harm-reduction practices related to HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) prevention. The model is grounded in decades of research on engaging people who use drugs—particularly those not connected to formal treatment—in their natural environments to reduce the transmission of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections. The updated course integrates contemporary scientific understanding of HIV, HBV, and HCV transmission, advances in testing and treatment, and current best practices for community-based outreach, syringe services, peer engagement, and linkage to care. The model has been implemented across diverse community settings and populations, including people who inject drugs, people who use non-injection drugs, and individuals involved in drug-using and sexual networks. Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Understand evidence-based principles of HIV, HBV, and HCV prevention for people who use drugs
• Describe the research foundation and evolution of the community-based outreach model
• Explain the core components of community-based outreach and risk-reduction counseling
• Identify effective strategies for accessing and engaging at-risk populations in community settings
• Apply harm-reduction–informed approaches to personal and behavioral risk assessment
• Describe practical strategies for reducing drug-related and sexual transmission risks
• Recognize methods for reinforcing and supporting sustained risk-reduction behaviors
• Identify key logistical considerations in implementing community-based outreach programs
• Describe the purpose and function of a community field station or outreach base
• Understand best practices for training community-based outreach staff
• Understand supervisory practices that support fidelity, safety, staff wellness, and program effectiveness