Latino Community Services

Project STEP

 

View our program brochure below.

Brochure Outside - Brochure Inside

 

PROJECT STEP is a 12-month program focused on enhancing a system in which young MSM of color can access culturally competent, effective treatment, and supportive services. 

Goals of the Project are to:
  • Reduce HIV risk and incidence;
  • Increase access to mental health, substance abuse, HIV, and Hepatitis C

ARE YOU?

  • Latino or African-America with a history of substance abuse
  • A man who has sex with other men (MSM)
  • Between the ages of 18-29
  • MSM 30 and older, heterosexual men and women will also be served
     
WHERE DO WE SERVE?
The following cities are served:

Hartford, Manchester, Bloomfield, East Hartford, New Britain

 

Please Click here for the Referral Form

 

PHASE I-ASSESSMENT AND ENROLLMENT

Participants will be screened and assessed for the presence of mental health and substance abuse needs.

Complimentary HIV/Hepatitis C Counseling & Testing

We offer all participants testing for both HIV and Hepatitis C free of charge. All tests are followed up with referrals. Men who are eligible for Personalized Cognitive Counseling (PCC) will receive PCC instead of traditional pre-test counseling.

Personalized Cognitive Counseling (PCC) is a single-session counseling intervention designed to reduce unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) who are repeat testers for HIV and who meet other criteria for the intervention. 
 
PCC focuses on the person’s self-justifications (thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs) when deciding to engage in sexual behavior that can transmit HIV.
 
This 30 to 50 minute intervention is conducted as the counseling component of Counseling, Testing, and Referral Services (CTRS) for MSM who are screened eligible for PCC. Eligible men for PCC are those whom:
  • Previously tested for HIV,
  • Result showed seronegative on that test,
  • Had UAI since their last test,
  • Had intercourse with a male who was not their primary partner, &
  • That partner’s serostatus was positive or unknown

PHASE II- INTENSIVE PROGRAM

Individualized Case Management

Our trained Case Managers will provide referrals, linkages, and coordinate services based on your individualized recovery plan. Case Management supports are intended to assist you on integrating relapse prevention skills and achieving autonomy.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment

Our program partner Hartford Behavioral Health (HBH) will provide outpatient treatment consisting of mental health and substance abuse services including; psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication monitoring.

PHASE III-WRAP-AROUND SERVICES

Recovery Support Services

We are an approved Access to Recovery III agency and provide faith recovery support services for participants that qualify. On-going recovery support groups will be offered.

Job Training & Placement Assistance

We collaborate with organizations that provide job training and placement assistance. We work with participants to assess employability skills and provide support through groups and individual sessions.

Computer Training

We provide individualized computer skills training based on your level of proficiency. The training will range from computer basics and typing to Microsoft Office applications.

Our Location

2550 Main Street, Suite 101, Hartford, CT 06120

P (860) 241.0024 EFax 1(860) 812.2610


Hours of Operation
Mondays & Tuesdays           8am-4pm
Wednesdays & Thursdays    8am-7pm
Fridays                                Closed

OUR TEAM

 

Lisette Cobb, MS Program Coordinator
Adaisa Jusino-Ramos Case Manager
Yvonne Wilson Case Manager
Henry Borgas
Edda Salza		 Outreach/Recovery Specialists
This program is funded by