 La Voz (The Voice) is an HIV/AIDS prevention/education, and substance abuse treatment program serving Puerto Ricans and other Latinos in the downtown and South End neighborhoods of Springfield. Springfield has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the state—seven times the national average. And although Hispanics make up only about a quarter of the city's population, they account for more than half of those living with HIV/AIDS. La Voz services are provided in a manner that recognizes and embraces the cultural needs of the local Latino community. La Voz is based upon a flexible, neighborhood-centered model that employs local, community-based individuals to provide services to the community at large. Services are provided primarily in neighborhood drop-in centers and other non-institutionalized, non-clinical settings. La Voz utilizes interventions that have been demonstrated to be effective, while combining them with innovative approaches that may not yet have been scientifically validated but show great promise. | | La Voz services include: - Medical triage
- Substance abuse screening and treatment
- Mental health screening and treatment
- Outreach and case management
- HIV prevention education
- HIV counseling and testing
- HIV/AIDS services (for HIV+ individuals)
- Hepatitis testing and vaccinations
- Overdose prevention education
- Vein wound care
- Pneumococcal vaccinations
- STI screening and treatment
- TB and flu testing
| The La Voz StaffLa Voz is staffed by professionals experienced in treating substance abuse and mental health issues. The staff includes: - Outreach workers/case managers
- Nurse practioner
- Mental health/substance-abuse clinician
La Voz also provides referrals to these other Tapestry Health services: - Needle Exchange
- STI screening and treatment
- Reproductive health services
Referrals to other programs include: - Detox centers
- Methadone treatment
- Primary care
- Housing
- Food pantry
- Jobs
- Education
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