SAAF prevention navigation for racial/ethnic minorities - the southern arizona aids foundation (SAAF) proposes to increase access to services for racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority population at…

SAAF prevention navigation for racial/ethnic minorities - the southern arizona aids foundation (SAAF) proposes to increase access to services for racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority population at highest risk for HIV, HCV and substance abuse disorders by building a sustainable prevention and service navigation structure. Populations to be served: our proposed prevention navigation services will build community collaborations targeting adults at risk of HIV/HCV, substance misuse, people who inject drugs and/or are not stable housed in tucson, AZ - pima county. Health disparities arise for these populations due to systemic stigma and discrimination, particularly in terms of accessing services. Concern areas related to service access in tucson, AZ - pima county for these populations include: problems of integration, coordination, continuity of care, and cultural competency; location and distance of services due to issues of transportation; availability of services especially the lack of behavioral health providers and facilities. Strategies/interventions: SAAF will employ a combination of strategic, culturally-competent, evidence-based practices to ensure that the identified at-risk populations are accessing, engaging and being retained in services, including: 1) service navigation; 2) social network strategy; 3) motivational interviewing; 4) rapid testing in community-based settings; 5) condom distribution. Primary project goals: are to: 1) increase knowledge of HIV and HCV risks factors among racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority adults 18 and over by providing opportunities for rapid HIV and HCV testing; 2) improve linkage to HIV, HCV, substance misuse treatment and housing services among racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority adults 18 and over by providing prevention navigation services; 3) implement public messaging on the risk of substance misuse and the importance of seeking care and treatment among racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority adults 18 and over by developing targeted awareness campaigns; and 4) increase knowledge among substance use disorder treatment and other healthcare providers on the importance of screening and treatment of HIV and HCV, among their clients, by providing education and training services. Number served: SAAF's proposed project will screen 1,500 adults for HIV/HCV, enroll 250 adults in prevention navigation services, and train 320 service providers of the importance of HIV/HCV screening and treatment among their clients through the 5-year funding period.