SERVICES

In partnership with the AZ National Guard and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Arizona Border Alliance coordinates and hosts drug take back events throughout Southern Arizona.  Email us if you would like the current list of locations and dates.

Drug take-back programs are important for several key reasons:

1. Prevent Misuse and Abuse: Unused or expired medications left in homes can be misused, especially by teens or others looking to experiment with drugs. Proper disposal reduces this risk.
2. Reduce Accidental Poisonings: Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to accidentally ingesting medications not meant for them. Drug take-backs help prevent such incidents.
3. Protect the Environment: Flushing drugs or throwing them in the trash can contaminate water supplies and soil. Take-back programs ensure safe, eco-friendly disposal.
4. Limit Drug Diversion: Proper disposal reduces the chance of medications being stolen or sold illegally.
5. Raise Awareness: These programs educate the public on the dangers of improper medication storage and disposal.

Funded by Contexture, Arizona’s health information exchange (HIE), which teamed up with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) — and in collaboration with 2-1-1 Arizona and Solari Crisis & Human Services — to implement a single, statewide referral system (CommunityCares) to address social determinants of health (SDOH) needs in Arizona.

Through this program, the ABA provides referrals to other agencies as well as receives referrals for the services we offer.

The Arizona Border Alliance serves as a fiscal agent to several other agencies, non-profits, businesses, and private individuals that need fiscal support. By serving as a fiscal agent, we seek to increase funding opportunities for other projects and programs, strengthen partnerships, and increase capacity building of smaller organizations by enabling them to grow and improve their services. Ultimately it benefits the community by ensuring more comprehensive and diverse services are available. 

Our agency is able to provide comprehensive curriculum development tailored to meet the unique needs of educational institutions and training programs. We design engaging, standards-aligned content that supports effective teaching and enhances student learning outcomes across various subjects and grade levels.  

The Arizona Border Alliance is currently developing a bilingual youth curriculum tailored for Southern Arizona rural communities.

The ABA provides financial scholarships every year to three high school seniors for college.

Higher education is especially important for rural communities in Arizona because it offers a pathway to economic opportunity, community development, and long-term resilience. In areas where access to high-paying jobs and resources can be limited, education beyond high school equips individuals with the skills needed to compete in today’s workforce—whether through college degrees, vocational training, or certification programs. It helps residents access careers in healthcare, education, technology, and skilled trades, many of which are in high demand in rural areas.

Beyond job readiness, higher education builds leadership capacity within small communities, empowering local residents to address issues like healthcare access, infrastructure, and economic development from within. It also helps young people stay and thrive in their hometowns, reducing brain drain by opening up new possibilities close to home. For rural Arizonans, investing in higher education is not just a personal step forward—it’s a way to strengthen the social and economic fabric of the entire community.

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The Arizona Border Alliance offers a comprehensive FAFSA & College Assistance Program designed to support students and families through the college preparation and financial aid process. We provide one-on-one guidance for completing the FAFSA application, understanding eligibility for grants, scholarships, and loans, and navigating key deadlines. In addition, we assist with college applications, personal statements, and exploring academic or vocational pathways that align with each student’s goals. Our mission is to remove barriers to higher education by offering free, accessible, and culturally responsive support to help students make informed decisions and pursue post-secondary success.

Staff at the Arizona Border Alliance are bi-lingual and have years of experience providing translation services in Spanish and English.  We offer professional Spanish and English translation services tailored to individuals, organizations, and businesses seeking clear, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication. Services include document translation (letters, flyers, forms, reports), live interpretation for meetings or community events, and assistance with outreach materials to ensure accessibility for both Spanish- and English-speaking audiences. With strong language fluency and cultural awareness, we aim to bridge communication gaps and support inclusive, respectful engagement across diverse communities. Services are available for in-person, virtual, or written formats, depending on your needs.

By supporting and collaborating with workforce development and job placement initiatives in our area of service, the community can truly benefit from economic growth, reduced unemployment, and ultimately foster community resilience. This resilience promotes self-sufficiency and stability among residents. When individuals are employed, they are more likely to contribute positively to their community, leading to improved social cohesion and decreased reliance on social services. We firmly believe that there is a more sustainable and prosperous future for our border residents.  The ABA offers job placement services in all the counties we serve as well as workforce training through hands on/in person sessions with staff and professionals in their field.

Communication and collaboration are essential to fostering a healthy community.
The Office of Border Public Health works to improve communication and bring partners together to achieve shared goals. These groups promote collaboration between health officials on both sides of the border. Over time, their focus has evolved to address a wide range of health issues. The first official health partnerships between the United States and Mexico were formed in the early 1940s. The first Binational Health Councils, known in Spanish as COBINAS (Consejos Binacionales de Salud), were established in 1965. To this day, the Arizona Border Alliance is—and will continue to be—a member of the Binational Health Council in order to provide cross-border services that benefit both communities.

The Arizona Border Alliance currently has four coalitions: The ABA Douglas Coalition, the ABA Bisbee/Naco Coalition, the ABA Coolidge Youth Coalition, and the ABA Pima/Santa Cruz County Coalition. We are currently setting up coalitions in Yuma and Graham/Greenlee Counties.

The ABA Coalitions utilize SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and has members from all 12 sectors: Youth, Parents, Business, Media, Schools, Youth-serving Organizations, Law Enforcement, Faith-based organizations, Civic or Volunteer groups, Healthcare professionals, State or Local agencies, and Substance Abuse Agencies.  Members meet once a month in person, and a virtual option is also available.

If you are interested in joining an ABA Coalition and making a difference in your community, send us an email!