The overall goal of the proposed phvp program is to prevent new HIV infections among migrant and mobile populations in targeted farming communities and informal settlements, focusing primarily on…

The overall goal of the proposed phvp program is to prevent new HIV infections among migrant and mobile populations in targeted farming communities and informal settlements, focusing primarily on those aged 10-29, adolescent girls and young women (agyw), and males 15-34, through combination prevention methods described below. Phvp will accomplish this goal through interventions that: (1) promote behavior change communication on HIV prevention targeted at mobile and migrant populations in farming communities and informal settlements through the use of stepping stones; (2) improve linkages to biomedical prevention and care programs; and (3) identify and address social and structural barriers to HIV prevention and facilitate community ownership through community systems strengthening. Phvp will reach these target populations with customized packages of both health and social services that address their needs at multiple levels. Large audiences are targeted with radio spots, sporting and entertainment events, and health jamborees that focus on HIV prevention messaging and expanding access to health and social services through strengthened referral systems. 10,500 will be reached through community events and a further 360,000 individuals will be reached through radio spots that publicize stepping stones (SS), open up conversations on HIV related issues, and drive demand for participation. Phvp will coordinate closely with clinics and hospitals, schools, government entities, and other ngos to create and strengthen linkages to health and social services. Through 50 locally employed stepping stones facilitators (ssfs) supported by five project coordinators, 52,652 people will receive referrals for biomedical prevention and care programs as well as arts. A further 700 people will be linked to clinical care for sgbv. To ensure program targets are met, phvp staff will collaborate closely with public health officials and facilities to establish and strengthen linkages and referral systems. Moreover, they will coordinate with existing service-focused pepfar and government of south africa (gosa) projects. Phvp, through community services and linkages activists (cslas) at the community level, will educate target populations on reducing risky behaviors and accessing services such as condom distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision (vmmc), family planning, and HTS. Local government capacity building for improved planning, resources and linkages across the continuum of prevention, treatment, care, and support will lead to better outcomes and a sustainable reduction in prevalence rates. Sgbv remains one of the key drivers of the epidemic, so phvp will systematically promote violence prevention by improving awareness of and linkage to post-violence care, including providing post-exposure prophylaxis, linking to and raising awareness of thuthuzela care centers (TCC) and sgbv safe houses where they exist. Cslas and ssfs will ensure linkages to care, treatment, and support as needed. Under the relevant stepping stones modules and in open community meetings, phvp staff will raise awareness about harmful gender norms, practices (e.g., substance abuse) and attitudes that perpetuate sgbv. In order to ensure that phvp carries out these activities successfully, hppsa as the prime will exercise overall management, training, administration and reporting responsibilities. To enhance local ownership and sustainability, hppsa will work closely with all relevant government departments, as well as with existing civil society structures at the local level. A local south african organization with over 20 years of on-the-ground experience, hppsa is known for its successful project management and effective collaborations, including with gosa at local, sub-district, district, provincial and national levels. At the community and district levels, hppsa will work with core partner hoedspruit trust (HTT), a local NGO with extensive experience in the t