National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has identified Avert Society as the State Training and Resource Centre (STRC) for the State AIDS Control Societies of Maharashtra, Mumbai, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Avert Society.
The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) implements Targeted Interventions (TIs) among Female Sex Workers, Men who have Sex with Men, Injecting Drug Users and Migrant population through the State AIDS Control Societies (SACS). These TIs are implemented through NGOs which require regular capacity building and quality control For enhanced performance, quality training to different categories of staff working with NGOs/CBOs viz. Program Managers, Counselors, Finance Accountants, Outreach Workers, Peer Educators is a must.
NACO intends to institutionalize the training and capacity building process through STRC. The process involves STRCs to train the staff at different levels from the NGO based on the exhaustive and extensive training modules developed by NACO.
The STRC trainings will be implemented through five regional training institutes appointed by Avert Society in the state of Maharashtra which includes:
- Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences – Wardha
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Family Planning Association of India - Mumbai
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Bel Air Hospital - Panchgani
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Sosva Training and Promotion Institute (STAPI)
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All India Institute of Local Self Government
On 27th August 2010, Avert hosted the inaugural function of STRC at the All India Institute for Local Self Government, Mumbai. The function was attended by the Project Directors of Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS), Goa State AIDS Control Society (Goa SACS), Avert Society, Representatives of the five Regional Training Institutes along with representatives from SACS and Avert’s Technical Support Unit (TSU).
The auspicious lamp lighting ceremony was done by Dr S S Kudalkar, Project Director-MDACS, Dr Padwal, Project Director-Goa SACS, Ms Smriti Acharya, Project Director - Avert Society and Dr Sneha Palnitkar, Director-All India Institute for Local Self Government.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kudalkar and Dr Padwal expressed their ”happiness on the selection of competent and reputed institutes for implementing the STRC trainings” and appreciated Avert Society “for making this colossal task a success”.