The HIV Outreach Toolkit (conceptual page shown above) is an online resource that will disseminate state-of-the-art outreach techniques to workers offering HIV prevention messages to run-away and homeless youth. The Toolkit will help outreach workers across the country learn new outreach techniques, talk about their experiences, and help the street kids they serve get better care. The site mixes static, fact-filled sections on everything from how to properly administer an HIV test to street slang and drug terminology; with an online forum and interactive learning environment for training workers in the latest outreach techniques and methods. In all, some seventy pages of static content, plus hundreds of pages of instructional content, were slated for inclusion into the Toolkit.

The Center for Research Strategies (CRS), a firm that specializes in developing innovative educational curricula by partnering with communities, content experts, and funding sources, called on Notchcode for help in creating this exciting online resource. They needed someone to provide the interface design, information architecture, and programming necessary to deliver their information, curriculum, and to facilitate community-building within their audience. Notchcode first analyzed the content, researched the target audience, and developed an information architecture in collaboration with CRS. After a thorough initial study of all content, audience, and outcome data, Notchcode created a number of interface design and information architecture models, which were tested by focus groups across the country. Consecutive models were refined, based on feedback from the focus group studies, and a final Toolkit model was presented. Notchcode utilized a blend of off-the-shelf open-source programming, custom-designed php shells and templates, and static XHTML-compliant code to meet the content's requirements. With the initial design of the site completed, the second phase—implementation—is expected to occur in late 2005.

The project, financed by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, aims to create not only a useful tool for an important community of caregivers, but to also make it commercially viable. To this end, sponsors that offer relevant services, products, or support, will have the opportunity to place discreet banner ads and sponsored links within key pages on the site. This sponsorship will makethe site self-sustaining and independent of government funding after initial development is completed.

Contact Notchcode today to see how we can help you reach your audience and get them the information they need, quickly and efficiently.