Viviendo valiente AIDS Arms, Inc. Executive Director, Community & Client Services Martha A. Guerrero, BA AIDS Arms, Inc. Manisha H. Maskay, Ph.D. Program Director Principal investigator

Viviendo valiente Project overview Other Latinos = 17% Importance of Viviendo Valiente Latinos - 38% of the 2,368,139 Dallas Co. population (Census, 2010) Mexicans - 83% of Dallas Co. Latino population (Pew Hispanic Center) Dallas area Latinos were most likely to receive late dx - 2005-09 (Ryan White, 2010) 36% - AIDS dx within one year of HIV dx (Ryan White, 2010) 29% - AIDS dx within one month of HIV dx (Ryan White, 2010) Mexican = 83% Core Objectives Identify and recruit HIV positive and at-risk individuals of Mexican descent, 18 years of age or older Link and engage HIV+ individuals in care/treatment Remove barriers to testing and care

Viviendo valiente Project overview What makes this project unique and innovative? Use of a multi-layered approach to promote prevention, HIV testing and linkage to care, address stigma and other key factors to promote engagement: Family and community orientation Community engagement using a health/wellness approach Significant collaboration with community partners within and outside of the HIV continuum of care Leveraging of opportunities provided by cultural, festive, sports and other events

Partners and collaborators Internal Programs Intensive linkage to care Case management Prevention Behavioral Health Peabody Health Ctr. Trinity Health/Wellness Ctr. The Community Partners Los Barrios Unidos Clinic LULAC Dallas Rainbow Council Univision DFW Trans Pride Initiative Proyecto Inmigrante Kaliente (Gay, Latino bar) Mexican Consulate … Strengthen Collaborations Latino Cultural Center Teatro Dallas AIDS Interfaith Network AIDS Education & Training Ctr Dallas Concilio Dallas City Council County Commissioners …

Intervention description Service delivery setting Dallas County Priority population Mexican, 18 or older, positive or at high risk for HIV Staffing 3 Promotores de Salud (PdS) Data Management Specialist Program Director Principal Investigator

Intervention description Viviendo Valiente services and activities will occur at the community, family , group and individual level and will include– Community assessment to understand needs, barriers and ‘what matters’ to priority population Community events planned and implemented in partnership with priority population, the advisory board and community partners framed by overall health & wellness objectives set within cultural, festive, health, and family themes providing HIV education and testing when appropriate Family level relationship building by PdS to build trust, address stigma, promote healthy behaviors Group intervention, Eban to be tailored for priority population and provided to participants Individual guidance and support provided by PdS to promote linkage to care for HIV positive individuals and ensure retention

Intervention description Recruitment strategies – Engage priority population to clarify needs, barriers to care, preferences Outreach at community events by volunteers and PdS Social media Traditional referrals Enrollment and linkage to care strategy – Motivational Interviewing to achieve readiness Use of the Intensive Linkage to Care strategy based on ARTAS Strategic use of incentives to promote participation Retention strategy - Ongoing engagement with PdS and/or case manager to resolve barriers to care EBAN intervention to promote empowerment Engagement with activities sponsored by the HIVE and Viviendo Valiente Close monitoring of attendance at medical and other appointments and quick follow up when appointments are missed Client incentives – Strategically provided to promote participation in study activities, getting tested, attendance at medical appointments and retention

Local evaluation Goals and objectives of the local evaluation To determine whether the key components of the Viviendo Valiente model were developed and implemented as set forth in the plan To determine whether existing AIDS Arms programs provide culturally congruent services to the priority population To evaluate the effectiveness of the EBAN intervention for the priority population To select one critical priority area brought forth by the Community Assessment for further in depth study IRB: who will prepare protocol and which IRB will you work with? AIDS Arms Evaluator/PI Independent IRB - TBD

Local evaluation Methods to be used Focus groups Surveys Key informant and client interviews Client record review Desired study participants and their role in the evaluation As previously described Data collection instruments and strategies to be employed TBD

Local evaluation Data analysis approaches to be used TBD Agency’s dissemination of key findings Workshops offered through local, regional and national forums including conferences Meetings with partner agencies through the AIDS Arms Network of Affiliated Agencies, Ryan White Planning Council, etc. White papers Articles published in journals focusing on practice and services. Others TBD

Project timeline for year 1 Start up activities (months 1-6) Notify key stakeholders Hire/train program director and staff Form local evaluation team/plan Initiate IRB approval process. Engage collaborators Create Advisory Council Evaluation planning & implementation Participate in initial meeting with ETAC Initiation of demonstration project (months 7-12) Conduct community assessment Develop marketing materials Develop protocols Launch programs and activities Conduct process monitoring Modify Eban Model to be Mexican-centric Key programmatic milestones Program Director hired Process of PdS selection started

¡Gracias! Martha A. Guerrero, BA Program Director | Viviendo Valiente martha.guerrero@aidsarms.org 214.521.5191 Manisha H. Maskay, Ph.D. Principal Investigator Executive Director, Community and Client Services | AIDS Arms, Inc. manisha.maskay@aidsarms.org