The Latin American Health Institute began to
offer services in the Brockton area
in 1997. Current programming includes HIV/AIDS prevention, counseling and
testing, interpretation and advocacy, substance abuse treatment, mental health
counseling, family based interventions for individuals involved with the
Department of Social Services and peer-based recovery support services. Some of
these services are also offered at community sites in Southeastern
Massachusetts. The establishment of LHI-Brockton addressed the need for
culturally competent public health and social services for the growing Latin
American population in the city.
HIV Prevention and Education Services
LHI offers HIV/AIDS prevention
services to substance abusers and men who have sex with other men (MSM). These
programs provide outreach, prevention and education, HIV risk assessment, risk
reduction, and referrals to needed health and social services.
“Horizontes” HIV/AIDS Case Management Services
This program provides culturally and
linguistically competent case management and client services to people living
with HIV/AIDS in Brockton and Southeastern Massachusetts. Horizontes offers the
opportunity to receive comprehensive health and support services that are
appropriate for the specific health and social service needs of the client.
“Mi Familia” Family-Based Interventions
The “Mi Familia” Program offers
bilingual/bicultural therapeutic services (in Spanish and English) to Latin
American families involved with the Department of Social Services. The
program's main goal is either to stabilize the family situation to prevent
out-of-home placement by intervening with the family (stabilization), or to
enhance the family's capacity to receive a child following an out-of-home
placement (reunification). The program provides parenting education and assist
families to identify community resources and maneuver the complex social
services systems.
The “Stairway to Recovery” Center
LHI’s Stairway to Recovery Center provides services to
individuals in all phases of recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse, including
those who have not yet engaged in recovery, individuals who have relapsed,
individuals in Methadone programs, and individuals in recovery. The Center also
includes activities that engage family members. The Recovery Center targets the
larger communities from which the members come including Latinos, African
Americans/Blacks, Haitians, Cape Verdeans, Portuguese and Brazilian
communities. The Center also targets ex-offenders, women, immigrants and elders
through activities that meet the unique needs of these populations.
“Proyecto Tranquilidad” Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
Through this program, LHI-Brockton provides
Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) to Latinos and Portuguese-speaking
ethnic/linguistic minorities, notably Cape Verdeans and Brazilians, who have
co-occurring substance abuse and serious mental disorders, and who are HIV+ or
at risk for HIV infection. The program
targets men who inject drugs, individuals who have been released from prison
within the past two years, and women. Services include intensive case
management.