Grantee: Bienestar Human Services, Inc.

Project: Proyecto Vida 

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Priority Population: Mexican MSM HIV+ or high risk for HIV

 

Bienestar’s Proyecto Vida in partnership with HIV medical clinics operated by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center and the Northeast Valley Health Corporation, are implementing a culturally innovative program designed to improve the timely entry, engagement and retention in quality HIV care for Mexican men who have sex with men (MSM) living in Los Angeles. To identify Mexican MSM living with HIV who are out of care, Proyecto Vida will employ two key strategies: a combination of Social Network Testing (SNT) and Social Network Engagement (SNE); and the strengthening of relationships with community partners who refer clients to Bienestar. To facilitate engagement and retention in care among all participating HIV-positive Mexican MSM, Proyecto Vida will use Motivational Interviewing coupled with a linkage to care/peer navigation intervention as its primary strategy. Trained Linkage Coordinators/Peer Navigators will facilitate the initial linkage to/engagement in care, provide clients with ongoing support, building their internal motivation and self-efficacy for remaining in care and adherent to their treatment protocol.