Module 4: Foundation of a Prevention Program

Goal of Module 4: To provide methods, examples, and tools with which to carry out your HIV/AIDS prevention program.

In order to provide an effective HIV prevention intervention for Native people, you will need to lay a strong community foundation and apply intervention programs in a culturally meaningful way. One option is to tailor existing interventions to fit the unique needs of your Native community. This module includes an overview of program components, information on CDC’s Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative, descriptions of evidence-based interventions, and an introduction to storytelling as a prevention strategy.
Contents 1d Addressing Social and Structural Issues
1. Components of a Comprehensive Prevention Program:

2. Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative:
3. Evidence-Based Interventions:
4. Introduction to Storytelling as a Prevention Strategy:

Racism, homophobia, sexual violence, and gender disparities increase HIV risk in communities of color. In addition to these social problems, Native communities also have to deal with lack of recognition and respect for tribal sovereignty. They face the challenge of governing themselves in the context of federal and state policies.

To reduce the health impacts of these social issues, your prevention program should work on building leadership skills. Leadership skills will help community members to change policies and institutions that negatively affect Native health. Support teamwork among community stakeholders, agencies, and programs. Because funding is unreliable, programs that focus on building positive relationships between tribes, health departments, and other state resources benefit in the long run. Often there is a need to build support for HIV/AIDS/STI prevention at the tribal and intertribal councils that set health policies and priorities.

CASE IN POINT:
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) provides tribes with the means for action on matters that affect them collectively and individually. ITCA promotes tribal sovereignty and works to strengthen tribal governments. The organization operates more than twenty projects, including NSHAPP, the National STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention Program.

CASE IN POINT:
The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) offered a training and advocacy program to twelve Native participants to provide them with the tools necessary to create change in their communities. Graduates of NLEAP (Native Learning Empowerment Advocacy Participation) went on to create mobile testing sites in rural Montana and education programs in Nevada. The most successful graduates were those who had some decision-making authority within their organization or tribe.