The Broward County Collaborative to Reduce the Use of Substances, HIV & Hepatitis (CRUSHH) Evaluation Experience: Years 1-3

Objective. The Broward County Collaborative to reduce the use of substances, HIV & hepatitis. Background. Such intervention is necessary since Florida ranks third in the nation after New York and California in terms of cumulative AIDS cases. South Florida, where Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are all in nation's top six for AIDS infections, is an epicenter of HIV / AIDS. Through the successful partnerships and collaborations the Broward CRUSHH program has been able to make gains in reported risky sexual activity and Hepatitis knowledge. Methods. This study is a four sessions intervention that was developed for the minority re-entry population in Broward County, Florida. The sessions focus on communication skills, substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis prevention. Furthermore, the program has been able to develop a video adaptation of the VOICES/VOCES researchedbased intervention to specifically target the minority re-entry population that has been instrumental in the evaluation gains that CRUSHH has seen over the last 3 years. Results. Describe the evaluation gains in reported sexual behavior and Hepatitis knowledge outcomes of the Broward CRUSHH program. Discuss the multifaceted reasons for the gains in reported sexual behavior and Hepatitis knowledge. Describe the development and implementation of the adaptation of Video Opportunities for Innovative Condom Education and Safer Sex (VOICES/VOCES) for the Minority Reentry Population. Conclusion. Share lessons learned regarding the Broward CRUSHH intervention implementation. Grants. Funded by Broward County.