Program:
HIV/AIDS/STI Prevention, Education, Counseling & Testing
- Budget:
-
$985,824
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees
-
Gays/Lesbians
-
People Living with HIV or AIDS - PLWHA
Program Description:
The program provides outreach, education, prevention, counseling, testing and referrals to HIV/AIDS/STI services helping Portuguese speakers, high-risk minority women and men and their partners throughout eastern Massachusetts, as well as Spanish-speaking men in the Framingham/Marlborough region. MAPS has provided HIV/AIDS-related services to Portuguese-speaking eastern Massachusetts communities since 1988. Staff health educators have received, and continue to attend, trainings on HIV/AIDS, STIs, counseling, testing, etc. Educators are also involved in community groups that strategize on how to reach high-risk populations and combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Program Long-Term Success:
MAPS ideal goal is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDSand sexually transmitted infections in our communities. MAPS' aims to motivate individuals to learn about HIV/AIDS/STI risks and receive screening to find out their status and get vaccinated, if necessary, to further prevention goals; change community norms, build positive social connections so that practicing safer sex is the acceptable norm; teachindividuals harm reduction strategies and increase ability to identify and practice personal action plans for self efficacy and provide supported referrals to related services.
Program Short-Term Success:
-High-risk community members learn about HIV, STIs, safe sex and other risk reduction methods through community outreach and prevention activities -Community members report utilizing the risk reduction methods that they learned -Increasing numbers participate in HIV/STI screening and are referred to health care and other services they need to reduce risk of contracting/spreading HIV, as well as to maintain their own health
Program Success Monitored by:
-Program reports based on individual confidential client files and service statistics maintained by staff -Client satisfaction surveys -Community advisory group discussions -Program evaluations required by funding agencies
Program Success Examples:
MAPS has provided HIV prevention, screening, referrals and HIV/AIDS case management in greater Boston since 1988. MAPS also previously subcontracted with agencies in Southeastern Massachusetts for many years to provide prevention & education services, as well as serving at-risk women and others in greater Lowell since 1999. In the Framingham/ Marlborough area, MAPS has provided prevention/education for Brazilian men for more than a decade and a half, also adding services for Latino MSM with Spanish-speaking staff in that area in 2006. Recently programming expanded to the area between Quincy and Brockton. Programs utilize bilingual/ bicultural and sometimes trilingual (Portuguese, English, Cape Verdean Creole) staff and volunteers to inform the community about HIV/AIDS, STDs/STIs and related diseases; to connect high-risk community members to health screenings and care; and to provide important risk reduction education.
Program:
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
- Budget:
-
$221,211
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees
Program Description:
Outreach, prevention education, advocacy, individual case management/assistance, translation/interpretation, guided referrals, and related services for domestic violence survivors. In 2011, MAPS launched a new program funded by the federal Office on Violence Against Women to not only expand domestic violence services, but also to add community capacity to respond to sexual assault/sexual violence, in partnership with a regional task force with other service providers.
Program Long-Term Success:
To end domestic violence and sexual assault in our communities.
Program Short-Term Success:
To raise awareness in our communities about these issues so they understand what healthy and unhealthy relationships are, what services are available and where to go for help if they need it. To help domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors to achieve safety, stable and violence-free lives.
Program Success Monitored by:
-Program reports based on individual confidential client files and service statistics maintained by staff. -Client satisfaction surveys. -Program evaluations required by funding agencies
Program Success Examples:
It was 4:30 pm one day when our Domestic Violence Program Advocate received a call from a Brazilian woman who lived in Brighton. She had been beaten and sexually assaulted by her partner boyfriend after an argument. She was scared to death. The woman, who spoke no English, was on the street and had nowhere to go. The advocate, who was working that day at the Family Justice Center in Boston, one of MAPS' major partners for Domestic Violence Prevention. She invited the woman to meet her there, and they went together to the Boston Police station to report the incident and seek assistance. With their help, the abusive boyfriend was located by 7:30 pm. He was arrested and later deported to Brazil. Meanwhile, the client was approved for a U-Visa, a special type of visa for domestic violence victims, and MAPS continued to help her deal with other issues in her life.
Program:
Immigrant Integration Services
- Budget:
-
$151,483
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees
Program Description:
MAPS' Immigrant Integration Services Program offers services that improves Portuguese speakers' access to economic opportunity, housing, health care and social services. MAPS IIS clients commonly need assistance with a variety of daily life issues, including: assistance with job and affordable housing searches; assistance with landlord/tenant issues; information and referrals for social, legal and health services, SNAP (food assistance), Fuel and utility assistance, and other basic needs (moreover, help them find doctors, attorneys and other service providers who speak their language); immigration and naturalization assistance;help them complete U.S. Citizenship and Green Card applications; assistance in accessing state and federal entitlement programs; interpretation and translation; referrals to ESOL and other educational programs to help clients become less reliant on MAPS services.
Program Long-Term Success:
Community members lives are stabilized and improved, and they are able to participate and contribute more fully in American society.
Program Short-Term Success:
Clients' immediate, critical basic daily life issues are resolved in a linguistically and culturally competent manner.
Program Success Monitored by:
Program reports based on individual confidential client files and service statistics maintained by staff -Client satisfaction surveys -Program evaluations required by funding agencies
Program Success Examples:
Ana and Andre (not real names) were referred to MAPS by the Welcome Baby Program in Allston. Ana had given birth to a premature baby and only Andre was working because Ana had to quit her job to take care of her infant, who had health issues. MAPS' Immigrant Case Worker, Ms. Bronzoni, helped them apply for public housing and other services and referred them to other community partner agencies. Earlier this year, they stopped by the MAPS' office again to apply for American citizenship. ""They let me know that, thanks to our help getting them affordable housing, Ana was able to stay home and take care of her premature baby,"" says Ms. Bronzoni, MAPS' Case Worker. Ana is currently working for the city where she and her family live, and Andre is self-employed. ""Now, they are ready to take the next step to become US citizens,"" Bronzoni says.They'll be able to vote, help others in the community, and advocate for immigrants who, like them, dream of better and more stable lives.""
Program:
Family Support Services
- Budget:
-
$227,460
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees
-
Other Named Groups
Program Description:
Comprehensive support services to stabilize, strengthen and unify children and families referred to MAPS by the state Department of Children & Families (DCF) due to child abuse, neglect or other high risks.
Program Long-Term Success:
The MAPS Family Support Services aims to stop abuse and neglect of children and youth in the communities we serve, and to provide support for families to learn the skills they need to raise healthy and safe children.
Program Short-Term Success:
As a result of this program, the client's immediate issues are resolved so that clients are stabilized and cases are closed.
Program Success Monitored by:
The following tools are used to track success with the Family Support Program:*Program reports are compiled based on individual confidential client files and service statistics. Client files and statistics recorded and maintained by staff *Client satisfaction surveys *Program evaluations required by funding agencies
Program Success Examples:
This vital program provides culturally and linguistically competent Comprehensive Support and Stabilization Services to Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Portuguese and other families in the Boston Region, Metro Region (Malden, Coastal, Framingham, Arlington and Cambridge) and Northeast Region (Lowell, Lynn, Haverhill, Cape Ann and Lawrence). This family-centered, home-based and community-focused program has provided wraparound services to children and families for more than 20 years. Responding to needs that range from basic services to serious and life-threatening issues, the Family Support Services Program fills a niche that no other area provider can address. Our highly trained, bilingual/bicultural team of case workers and supervisors are always available to work with families in need, with DCF and with other agencies in the service network to help guide families in positive directions; to resolve their problems; and to ensure the safety and healthy development of their children.
Program:
Elder Services/Cambridge Senior Center
- Budget:
-
$102,179
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
-
Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees
Program Description:
Portuguese-speaking seniors depend on the Elder Services Program for socialization and support for their daily lives. The Cambridge Senior Center is a lively place—keeping seniors busy, providing vital information to them and allowing their minds and bodies be active. The Center is an essential link to other MAPS programs and other community service providers, and helps seniors lead independent, healthier and happier lives. The Cambridge Senior Center, located in the MAPS Cambridge office at 1046 Cambridge Street, is open from Monday through Friday with lunches Monday through Thursday. These meals spare our elders the difficulty of having to cook throughout the week and guarantees that the seniors eat at least one nutritious and balanced meal a day. The Center provides comfort and support in a linguistically and culturally competent manner—MAPS' staff speak their native language and understand their culture, and are here for them for various health and social services.
Program Long-Term Success:
Clients' health and outlook on life is improved, enhancing their ability to remain living at home due to the services, socialization, care and support as well as information they receive through MAPS.
Program Short-Term Success:
*Participants in the Cambridge Senior Center programs receive healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate lunches four days per week, enabling them to maintain good health *Cambridge Senior Center clients participate in a variety of social and recreational activities that improve their outlook and reduce isolation and depression *Elders served at the Senior Center and through the Immigrant Integration Services Programs in Cambridge (including additional clients from Somerville and other surrounding communties), Brighton, Dorchester, Lowell and Framingham have their questions answered and immediate needs met through counseling, case management, interpretation and translation services *Seniors attend educational presentations that inform them about important consumer and health issues to enhance their lives
Program Success Monitored by:
The program's success is measured by the following tools:*Program reports based on individual confidential client files and service statistics maintained by staff *Client satisfaction surveys *Program evaluations required by funding agencies
Program Success Examples:
An isolated elderly couple-one nearly blind and both beset with chronic illnesses, did not want to ask for help. They were struggling to pay for medical care, and still have enough money for food. Life was increasingly difficult, until they met one of our Lowell case workers. A MAPS IIS Case Worker helped them obtain heating and grocery assistance as well as homemaker and nursing support. Through our efforts, they now have health and drug coverage, and also have a Life Line through Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. Life remained difficult due to their significant health problems, but they were no longer isolated. They felt safe, cared for, and connected to the community. Because of MAPS, many agencies supported them, and, as their situation changed, we helped them adjust. Our case worker says with satisfaction, ""Now they are on their own, and MAPS will always be there to help them maintain a safe and independent lifestyle.""