Partnership to Ameliorate the Life of Minority Adolescents (PALMA) : PALMA is the first community-based initiative on substance abuse prevention and HIV prevention for at-risk youth among the 27,000 Vietnamese living in the DC-metropolitan area. This project maps the profile of the target population, identifies their needs and barriers, and is forming a community-based coalition to formulate a strategic plan for prevention services.

Goals:

1. Assess the level of substance abuse and the prevalence of HIV among the target population.

2. Build capacity for the local community to implement a strategic plan of substance abuse and HIV prevention services.

Objectives:

1. Measure the prevalence of substance abuse among the target population. Identify viable SAP/HIVP models for the target population. Identify the resources available in the community for SAP/HIVP.

2. Build in-house expertise on SAP/HIVP issues.

3. Build capacity for other youth-focused organizations in the community.

4. Form a coalition with a focus on SAP/HIVP.

Partner organizations:

Eternal Spring Association (ESA) http://www.spiritmountain.org/

Ket Doan Association http://www.ketdoan.org/

Vietnamese American Television (VATV) http://www.vatv.org/

Vietnamese Culture and Science Administration, DC Chapter (VCSA-DC) http://www.vhkhvn.org/

Boat People SOS- Maryland (BPSOS-MD)