In FY 2009, PEPFAR will take a strategic approach in focusing prevention interventions in the regions with the highest HIV prevalence as well as targeting most-at-risk populations and mobile populations as a result of recent data on the epidemic. Prevention efforts will focus on providing technical assistance in improving policies and expanding the provision of services in voluntary counseling and testing and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, as well as expanding comprehensive prevention programs including behavior change communication, community-based peer education and condom social marketing. Innovative approaches will be employed regarding involvement of the private sector in policy development and comprehensive prevention activities. PEPFAR will advocate and provide technical assistance for a National Condom Policy, in addition to improving referrals between prevention, testing, care, and treatment programs.
In FY 2009, PEPFAR will continue to provide care and support services and strengthen community support networks, implement a model of care for orphans and vulnerable children and support a pediatric AIDS pilot project to provide early diagnosis, care, and treatment to children born of HIV-positive mothers. PEPFAR will provide training to improve the quality of care and services provided to orphans and vulnerable children and people living with HIV/AIDS. Post-test counseling and referrals for HIV/AIDS-related services on both sides of the Haitian/Dominican border will be improved. In addition, PEPFAR will continue to provide assistance to the Dominican Republic in the improvement of HIV/AIDS treatment norms and protocols as well as training of laboratory staff and procurement of supplies. Bi-national efforts in FY 2009 with Haiti will also include developing twinning and patient care information sharing programs for hospitals across the Dominican-Haitian border. PEPFAR will work with the Dominican government to pursue a Dominican Republic/Haiti bi-national agreement providing a framework for improved prevention, care and treatment of populations crossing the border in either direction. Strategic information activities will include assisting the National AIDS Program with the development of a long-term national epidemiological surveillance plan, HIV/AIDS case reporting, and support for epidemiological and behavioral information gathering. PEPFAR also plans to implement a behavioral surveillance survey in mobile populations in order to better understand the determinants of the epidemic. | 
