Florida: Grant Aims at Risks Facing Latino Teens

On Tuesday, the Florida Institute for Community Studies Inc. (FICS) received four-year, $1 million grant from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help prevent HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among Latinos in Town 'N Country.

Through Proyecto Prevencion (Project Prevention), FICS surveyed more than 200 youths and adults to identify strengths and risk behaviors of Hillsborough's Latino residents, with a particular focus placed on surveying Town 'N Country, Wimauma, Ruskin, Dover, and Plant City.

Among the research findings: One-third of teens did not remember getting any HIV prevention or sex education; the HIV/AIDS rate among Hispanics in Town 'N Country ZIP codes is five times greater than elsewhere in the county; and a generational, cultural, language, and communication gap exists between Latino youths and parents. "It was like two world views never met," said Alayne Unterberger, FICS' founder and director.

Proyecto Prevencion has already had community festivals and formed a youth council called TC Nenas (Town 'N Country Ladies). The girls' families come from various countries, but the girls have one thing in common, said TC Nenas President Nancy Ruiz, 13: "We found out we really want to help our community."

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