2021 COMBAT Funding: $109,770.00  

In The Guadalupe Centers' Own Words

The Guadalupe Centers, Inc. (GCI) is the longest continually operating organization serving Latinos in the United States. GCI was established in 1919 and became one of the nation’s first social service agencies serving Latinos in the country. GCI currently operates as a non- profit, non- sectarian agency serving the community from several facilities. 

Department Of Mental Health-Certified 

Among GCI’s programming and services is the Guadalupe Center's Outpatient Treatment Program located at the agency’s Casa Feliz Counseling Center in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood. The program began in 1991 and is a Level 3-Drug Counseling program certified by the Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health and is staffed by bilingual, Spanish/English, qualified counselors.

The treatment services and activities reach an estimated 85 unduplicated Jackson Country residents -- primarily, but not limited to, Latino adult men and women, who are low income and uninsured, facing life challenges due to use of an or multiple illicit substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and opiates. The target population resides primarily in Northeast Kansas City, Kansas City's Westside and also East side neighborhoods, among other Jackson County neighborhoods. The target population we serve are generally referred by the Missouri Department of Corrections for offenses including possession or sales of illicit substances, driving under the influence or domestic violence. 

In-Person & Virtual Assessments/Counseling

The program proposes to continue offering both in-person and virtual- alcohol/drug assessments, individual counseling, group counseling, client education, community support services, case management, referral to Medication Awareness Recovery services as well as referral to psychiatric services with a partnering agency.

The program has a Qualified Diagnostician that works on-site with counseling staff to appropriately diagnose participants for admission and/or referral to other treatment settings.  

The program utilizes an evidence-based curricula that focuses on behavior change utilizing motivational strategies, cognitive-behavioral therapy and use of the transtheoretical model of change.

Certified Staff

Additionally, staff are certified Missouri Recovery Support Specialists (MRSS). Through this modality of service, counselors help clients make independent and self-directed choices and to take a proactive role in their recovery. It assist the client in engaging in pro-social activities and involvement in the development of protective factors.  

The program materials, services and activities are designed to help the target population gain awareness of the impact of their substance use disorder and provides counseling services that support abstinence as well as other comprehensive services that promote changes in other life areas affected by their use. 

Safety First

As a result of the Global Pandemic our proposed services/activities have changed for the safety of our clients and our staff. Providing some treatment services/activities virtually via a HIPAA approved and confidential website.

Our proposed counseling services are implemented in a manner in which the target population gains awareness of the impact of their substance use, gains the tools necessary to cope with the often multiple risk factors present in their lives and receives counseling services that support abstinence and promote change.

The program is open-ended meaning there are admissions throughout the year. This allows the group dyanmic to have the diversity of participants at various points of the treatment continuum. Participants attend approximately 3-5 hours weekly for 8-12 weeks.

Continuing Care

They may also attend longer in continuing care. The activities surround a widely accepted theoretical model whose theory maintains that three factors are necessary for health related behavior change to occur.  The belief of susceptibility to a disease with serious consequences; threat to their well-being and that following a prescribed set of behaviors the threat will be reduced or eliminated. 

The activities address these factors and include the following:

Pre-intake: This initial step gathers demographic information, substance use history and need for services to determine eligibility and appropriateness for our treatment setting.

Evaluation: The participant then completes an alcohol/drug evaluation in a face-to-face and/or virtual meeting with a counselor and in collaboration with the program's diagnostician.

The program utilizes a placement criteria and assessment via Community Care Link. This tool assesses the participant's life areas to determine strengths and challenges and develop a mutually agreed upon individualized treatment plan of action.

Treatment: The treatment activities then include individual counseling, group counseling, group education, community support services, urine analysis, case management and information and referral to other services. 

The program's expected outcome is to reduce or eliminate drug use among the target population through the availability of accessible counseling services. Ultimately, long-term abstinence of substances that will lead to a healthier individual increasing the opportunity to lead a safe and healthy lifestyle thereby creating a safe and healthy community.