| The South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has currently two programs that are dedicated to bring HIV prevention and intervention to the communities it serves. These Programs are Voces Fronterizas, a CDC funded project, and Bridges of Life a DSHS funded program. The HIV services offered are prevention, testing, intervention, and outreach. HIV Early Intervention (HEI) The HEI Program targets those individuals who are HIV positive and are dealing with substance abuse issues. The program provides case management, support groups as well as individual help. Voces Fronterizas Voces Fronterizas has been established to provide services to individuals living along the border and surrounding areas. The goals of the program are to provide education, prevention and intervention about HIV/AIDS, STDs and substance abuse. the program offers free HIV testing, brief intervention counseling for pre and post testing, referral services for substance abuse treatment and HIV early intervention programs, and HIV education services. Prevention Services The Voces Fronterizas prevention specialists will provide presentations to local agencies and organizations in and around Webb county. These educational presentations intend to inform our communities on the modes of transmission of STDs, HIV, and Hepatitis C and the steps to avoid contracting or spreading these infectious diseases. Participants of these presentations will have access to free HIV tests after completion of the presentation and free referrals to STD and HEP C testing to local health departments or community resources. In addition to these educational sessions participants can be provided with the assistance of the presenter in obtaining referrals for substance abuse services and HIV counseling. Testing Services Free testing services with a pre and post counseling session to assess risk behaviors and establish an individualized risk reduction plan with the client. Voces Fronterizas observes the strictest confidentiality standards following the precepts of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Texas Department of Health. Confidential and Anonymous tests are available in order to provide clients with additional options to protect their confidentiality which includes the use of an Orasure test, a non-invasive method, consisting of a mouth swab specimen collection device. Results can be available in as little as 20 minutes. Upon receipt of a test result, the client will be notified if an appoinment for a post test counseling session is recommended and is scheduled at the client's convenience. When certain high risk behaviors are identified in a client they may benefit from participating in a follow up program that offers additional counseling and other incentives in the form of HEB cards or other products depending on availability. These incentives are provided at the end of each scheduled meeting between the client and counselor. Outreach Services Street Outreach: Voces Fronterizas has an outreach team that travels to the areas in the community frequented by the targeted high-risk populations to provide on-site access to services (e.g. truck stops, motels, public parks, nightclubs, bars, etc.). The outreach team goes door-to-door in designated neighborhoods to offer information, HIV testing and referrals for other services as needed by the client. Street outreach workers also offer testing as well as free prevention products. Mobile Unit: The mobile unit is a unique feature of the outreach program, bringing services to the underserved residents in the Colonia areas. The mobile unit is a 31 ft. Recreational-type vehicle that has been modified to allow for private counseling, testing & follow-up. Clients served by the mobile unit and street outreach programs are offered the same quality of service as those clients able to come to the central office. STD testing and Hepatitis tests are conducted in the Laredo Health Department. However, referrals are provided by the outreach workers. Referrals: Outreach workers provide referrals for medical treatment, substance abuse screening & assessment, counseling and other needs identified in the client. |