For information regarding the programs offered through the Health Department please contact us at 617.661.9406 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or view the program fact-sheets.

Substance Abuse Ambulatory Programs

1. Outpatient Program

This program offers services to anyone who might be concerned about his/her own drug/alcohol use or that of a friend, spouse, or family member.  We offer a variety of services based on the client’s needs.

The programs consist of

• Assessment/Diagnosis;
• Individual Counseling;
• Family Counseling;
• Group Therapy;
• Information and Referrals to other available programs; and
• Aftercare for individuals leaving inpatient/residential treatment.

 2. Driver Alcohol Education Program (DAE) (M.G.L.c. 90, S.24D)

Concilio was the first provider in the state of Massachusetts to offer Driver Alcohol Education services in Spanish, now offering First and Second Offender Alcohol Education and Aftercare Services.  This program is partially funded through the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

The program consists of:

• Two (2) hours Assessment/Diagnosis;
• Thirty-two (32) hours of group educational sessions;
• Two (2) hours sessions of Victim’s Impact Panel
• Minimum of Three (3) two (2) hour Self-Help groups; and
• Various types of groups/individual sessions with client placement according to their individual needs.

3. Second Offender for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Program

The 2nd Offender for Driving under the Influence of Alcohol Program is the second and third phase of treatment after an Intensive Inpatient two-week program offered throughout the state.  Clients can be participants of this program as stipulated by the probation order, which can be over two (2) years. 

 Second Phase consists of:

• Two (2) hours Assessment/Diagnosis; and
• Eight (1) hour Counseling Sessions

Third Phase consists of:

• Monthly group Counseling/Psychotherapy; and
• Education until the end of their probation.

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Cambridge Middlesex County Jail

This program offers psycho/educational sessions at the Cambridge Middlesex County Jail focused on re-integration to society and managing time while waiting for sentence to Spanish speaking inmates.  The sessions include topics as HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention, alcohol/drug use and abuse, self-esteem, anger, depression management, harm reduction techniques, relapse prevention, etc.  This program is sponsored by the Middlesex Jail Canteen Fund. 

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HIV Case Management and ACCESS Team

The Case Management Programs provides culturally sensitive and client centered Case Management services to Latinos who are HIV positive in Cambridge, Somerville and Chelsea areas.  The program focuses on increasing self-sufficiency and medical stability to increase the lives of those who participate in the program.  The programs also offers emotional support, counseling and medication management for those who qualify.  We meet the clients where they are at…maybe their home or some place that is convenient for our client base. 

These programs are funded by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Title I funds (Ryan White) and through Cambridge Health Alliance’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

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VIDA – HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education

The aim of this program is to reduce the incidence of HIV/STI/Hepatitis infections while increasing the number of those who know their status and want to get into care.  Referrals are offered to needed services throughout the program. This program consists of four components: Outreach building trust while distributing information about HIV/AIDS, STIs and Hepatitis C, by engaging community members in a two way dialogue; Individual Level Intervention are face to face meetings with an individual to conduct a risk assessment and/or a risk reduction plan, with goals created by the individual at risk with guidance from the Community Health Workers to address their needs regarding their risk behaviors; Group Level Intervention  are group educational sessions on modes of transmission and methods of harm reduction. These group sessions are geared towards individuals who want to increase their awareness and learn about using risk reduction materials properly; and the Peer Leadership Group Education is targeted for those clients who have demonstrated an interest in helping reduce the incidence of HIV/STI/Hepatitis infections and increase the number of those who know their status.  The peer leaders are trained to co-conduct the different program components and become volunteers for the program. 

This program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Services Bureau

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LUNA - Young Parent Support

The LUNA (Luchando Unidos para Nuestros Adolescents/Working together for Adolescents) – Young Parent Support program focuses on increasing self-sufficiency among young Latino parents ages 24 and under.  LUNA helps participants manage parenthood through the development of new skills and acquisition of both the knowledge and resources necessary for successful parenting.  We create a sensitive, trusting, and supportive environment for young parents and provide them with services that meet their needs for information, resources, and skills to help them recognize and overcome the challenges and risks associated with young parenthood.  LUNA offers Case Management, Family and Individual Counseling, Information and Referral, Peer Support and Preventive Education.  This program is funded by the Department of Children and Families.

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Lead Poisoning Prevention

Concilio Hispano’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is dedicated to providing assistance and increasing awareness about the dangers caused by lead to families and children in the community of Somerville.  The program is in collaboration with the City of Somerville’s Lead Hazard Abatement Program under the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development.  The program offers a 0% interest, forgivable loan, offered to qualified Somerville residents.  Once qualified, the program also provides grants to cover costs of relocation expenses during the deleading process and each property recieves a Letter of Full Deleading Compliance upon completion of the program which entitles owners a $1,500 state tax credit for each deleaded unit. 

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Health Workshops:

Latinas Living Better

In collaboration with Cambridge Health Alliance, Concilio Hispano offers nutrition, fitness, and cooking workshops and free weight, height, cholesterol and glucose tests in English and Spanish open to all women, ages 15 and older.

Guiding Good Choices

In collaboration with Somerville Cares About Prevention, Concilio Hispano offers an interactive parenting program that focus on strengthening family bonds and communication, reducing the risk factors associated with teenage drug/alcohol uses in English and Spanish open to Somerville parents of children in grades 4th – 8th.

Anger Management

This program is designed for anyone who has anger management problems addressing cultural barriers that can impede their behavioral change.  Individuals in the group are taught how to slow down their arousal when angered, so that they can process and act in a proper way without the negative consequences when it is uncontrolled.  The goal of program is not to eliminate the anger, but to use it as a signal that there is a problem that needs to be addressed.  The program consists of eight (8) weekly group sessions, anger coaching/therapy and anger evaluations.