Por Vida offers trauma-informed, generational, and healing-centered navigation services to youth and young adults (13-24) testing positive for HIV/STI and reporting substance use. The Lead Navigator and Project Coordinators work closely with individuals to identify barriers to care and develop personalized care plans. The program facilitates linkages to supportive services, such as mental health counseling, housing assistance, and transportation. The primary objectives of Por Vida are:
- Creating a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to build a culturally and generationally responsive environment against substance misuse and HIV.
- Increasing access to comprehensive, culturally responsive substance misuse and HIV prevention efforts.
- Reducing the incidence and risk of substance misuse, HIV/STI transmission, and viral hepatitis among Latino youth (13-24).
- Increasing public awareness of substance misuse risks among people living with HIV and the importance of seeking care.
- Increasing availability of screening and testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance abuse among Latino youth.
- Enhancing linkage to substance disorder treatment and HIV treatment through culturally responsive navigation.
- Increasing provider awareness of the importance of screening for HIV/STI and providing linkage to care.
Por Vida targets the population of Southern Arizona’s Latino Gen Z population (13-24), with a focus on Pima County (Tucson region). Por Vida has an establishment of a 12-member CAB to ensure culturally sensitive practices. The community is able to learn through the implementation of evidence-based curricula, including ¡Cuidate! and Thrive, in Southern Arizona school districts and county community centers. Por Vida also conducts culturally responsive HIV and substance abuse educational training at various campus locations, as well as participation in national prevention events and community engagement initiatives.