The Department of Corrections’ Automatic HIV/Counseling and Testing Program operated out of the Central Detention Facility (DC Jail) has been chosen as a 2011 “Bright Idea” by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University.   This designation is given governmental entities that have effectively employed their resources in developing unique and innovative strategies to address issues of concern to the public.

The Automatic HIV/Counseling and Testing Program, which originally began in June of 2006, is operated in partnership with Unity Health Care and the DC Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA).  Since its inception, the program has conducted more than 52,000 HIV tests at intake for inmates coming into the DC Jail—this achievement distinguishes the DOC as the largest single testing site for HIV/AIDS in the city.  The troubling trends in the current data on HIV/AIDS in the District magnify the significance of the Automatic HIV/Counseling and Testing Program for this targeted population.  Despite the increasing focus on AIDS education, early detection, and timely treatment, the city continues to have one of the highest rates of AIDS in the country with the prevalence of newly reported cases being higher than that of comparable urban centers.  According to Interim Director Hoey, “addressing this issue is a priority for Mayor Gray who fully embraces the Department’s efforts to test, counsel, and treat those in our custody.  He views the Automatic HIV/Counseling and Testing Program as an integral part of the citywide effort to leverage both public and private sector resources to address HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia.”

Announcement of the “Bright Ideas” designation closely follows the release of the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice’s sixth “report card” evaluating the city’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  For the past four years, the DC Department of Corrections has received a grade of “A”--the highest evaluations rendered by this organization for its efforts to combat this illness.  According to Interim Director Hoey, who has been appointed to the Mayor’s Commission on HIV/AIDS, “we are very proud of this achievement and look forward to other jurisdictions accessing information on our program model as they plan ways to effectively address HIV/AIDS.”

Programs chosen as “Bright Ideas” are highlighted by the Ash Center on their Government Innovators Network, an online resource for the sharing of viable solutions to a vast array of public policy issues.