mHealth Service Linkage for Young Adults Impacted by the Criminal Legal System

Technology Enhanced Substance Use and HIV Service Navigation for Justice-Involved Young Adults

This study is designed to test Project LYNX, a program designed to help young adults (ages 18-29) with recent criminal legal system involvement can find and get connected to substance use and HIV-prevention services in the community. The program combines support from a trained peer navigator with easy-to-use digital tools.

The study will:

• Adapt an existing navigator program by adding new digital (eHealth) tools that were co-developed with young adults. These tools will help navigators refer participants to the right health services.
• Refine and test the updated program to make sure it works well and is easy to use.
• Evaluate whether the program is feasible, acceptable, and helpful in linking young adults to substance use treatment and HIV-prevention services.

The overall goal is to create a practical, user-friendly system that supports young adults find and get connected to services for substance use and HIV prevention that they need.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Self-report recent criminal legal involvement (past year);
• Self-identify as HIV-negative
• Endorse behaviors in the past 6 months indicating consideration of PrEP per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) risk indices
• Meet the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use (TAPS) Tools' criteria for identifying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) substance use disorder
• Are conversant in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being on PrEP
• Cognitive delays that would interfere with consent or participation
• Inability to provide contact information for >2 locator individuals