Community Wellness Centers in Southeastern MA | Seven Hills

Confidential Care in Our Community Wellness Centers

Seven Hills employs an integrated team of specialists to work at its Community Wellness Centers located in New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton.  Community Health Workers and peer leaders provide culturally competent community and street outreach & education, prevention workshops and social community-building groups, and comprehensive health promotion services for men, women and youth. Individual counseling on substance abuse, domestic violence, HIV, Hepatitis C, STIs, and sexual decision-making is available, along with SA, HIV and STI screening, testing, referral for treatment, and free supplies. The Community Wellness Centers are registered for Opioid-Overdose (O-OD) prevention, and registered and approved for O-OD nasal Narcan distribution. Counselors provide risk- and harm-reduction counseling and supplies, and offer information on access to sterile injection equipment and overdose prevention. Seven Hills Behavioral Health is a qualified provider of Comprehensive Health Promotion Services for People Who Inject Drugs inclusive of Syringe Services Programming. Seven Hills works closely with local community partners, including local law enforcement, faith-based groups, local correctional systems, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to implement health promotion and disease prevention initiatives.

Opioid Overdose and Substance Abuse Education and Prevention and Nalaxone Education and Enrollments

Seven Hills uses a harm-reduction framework and philosophy to support people who inject drugs and/or who are struggling with addiction. SHBH has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to provide Nasal Naloxone (Narcan) Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal in Southeastern Massachusetts since 2008. Through the Nasal Naloxone (Narcan) Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal program, SHBH recruits and trains high-risk opioid users, their families, and their friends regarding how to prevent and recognize an opioid overdose and what to do if it occurs. In addition to enrollments and refills, the program conducts hundreds of overdose prevention workshops in the community each year.

Syringe Services Programming

Seven Hills has established syringe service programs in Taunton, Fall River, Dartmouth, Wareham, and Fairhaven and is qualified to provide services statewide.  Seven Hills provides Department of Public Health-approved kiosks in three locations in Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton.

Post-Opioid Overdose Support Teams and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Programs

Seven Hills works closely with law enforcement agencies located in southeastern Massachusetts to provide cross-trainings and support for people with substance use issues.  Harm reduction specialists work closely with law enforcement personnel to support individuals who have overdosed and their family members to obtain information that informs appropriate and effective services. Referrals to community organizations are made as appropriate, and follow-up care is offered. These interactions are focused on providing necessary care, removing stigma associated with OUD, and breaking down barriers between community members and police.

Intensive Correctional Health Linkage Services

Seven Hills provides substance abuse & educational services and rehabilitation & aftercare services to inmates of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. Services include HIV education programs, Narcan education programs, substance abuse programs, relapse prevention, anger management programs, basic life skills, MAT educational program, co-occurring educational programs, domestic violence programs, aftercare and reentry services, community information and resources, group work and individual case management, and other rehabilitation programs and services requested by the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

HIV/HCV/STI/TB Prevention, Linkage, and Retention in Care and Treatment

HIV Screening and testing services are provided by trained counselors in private, confidential settings both on-site at our Community Wellness Centers and in the community at shelters, residential programs, local jails, and clinics provided through the Seven Hills mobile van.  Counselors and peer leaders engage and screen individuals using a brief assessment conversation, which initially covers drug use, sexual behavior, and history of opioid overdose. A risk reduction plan is developed, if necessary, to protect a person’s sexual health and/or support them in the recovery process.  Counselors provide linkage to care and treatment completion services for persons who test positive.  Staff provide referrals for medical care, benefits advocacy, adherence support, social services and housing coordination, and other services to support clients and help to remove barriers to care, including providing transportation when needed.

HIV / AIDS Medical Case Management

Case Managers support individuals infected by HIV and their families, providing access to medical, social, and support services to help them better manage their health and well-being, and improve their overall quality of life.  Services include HIV/AIDS Care Management, Peer Leaders, Transportation, Housing Search, Advocacy, Acupuncture, Transitional Services, Benefits Counseling, and more.

TWIST - Men’s Health Project

The Men's Health Project (TWIST) is a prevention and education program addressing substance abuse and sexual health of men who have sex with men (MSM). TWIST works with the help of peers to provide intervention through identifying, training, and modifying risky behaviors in the Gay/Bisexual community.

Food Pantries

Situated in our Community Wellness Centers in southeastern MA, the Food Pantries serves as a critical community resource for men, women and children who suffer from substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, and those who engage in high-risk behaviors. Learn More >