The BRIDGES Project seeks to test a program intended to help women living with HIV who face specific barriers due to culture, gender, violence, trauma, adverse mental health, and substance use to be able to better access HIV care. We previously created and tried this program for women living with HIV, as previously studies have indicated that women with these experiences are less likely to have stable HIV care. The BRIDGES Project will use Peer Navigators, who are other women living with HIV who have had similar experiences and have been successful in accessing care, to help other women living with HIV to access HIV care and stay in HIV care. The BRIDGES Project will also provide support to women through group sessions co-facilitated by a licensed clinical therapist and Peer Navigator. Through participation in BRIDGES, women will: (1) build skills to cope with HIV care and treatment barriers (e.g., violence, trauma, adverse mental health, substance use); (2) be connected to HIV treatment and other support services (e.g., domestic violence, mental health, substance use); and (3) learn interpersonal skills to connect with support (e.g., service providers, peers, friends, family) when faced with new or ongoing barriers. We will enroll 100 women living with HIV in San Diego, who have experienced barriers due to gender, violence, trauma, adverse mental health, and substance use.

1. 1. Assess the effects of The BRIDGES Project intervention on Linkage, ART Initiation, and Retention in HIV Care, compared to control participants.
   2. Explore the effects of The BRIDGES Project intervention on ART Adherence and Viral Suppression, compared to control participants.
   3. Evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of The BRIDGES Project Intervention.