Prevention and Counseling Services

AAMA's Prevention and Counseling programs continue to honor our East End heritage by providing services to at-risk youth. Furthermore, as one of Texas's largest substance use disorder treatment services providers, AAMA's programs helps youth and adults of all ages break the cycle of addiction and change the trajectory of their lives.

Our program services include:

Outpatient substance use disorder treatment for both adults and adolescents
Intervention services for both adults and youth
HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis C Prevention, Education, Testing, and Linkage to care
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

The most comprehensive array of services is based in Houston, with selected services available in Laredo.

For information about AAMA's Prevention & Counseling services in Houston, please call:

713.926.9491

For information about services in Laredo, please call:

956.728.0440

Houston

Buena Salud Program: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). AAMA's SBIRT staff can provide services at your site or ours. Currently, staff provides SBIRT at numerous clinics and schools throughout the Houston area.
Project Tejas: We offer both male and female adult outpatient substance use disorder treatment, which consists of individual and group sessions, family sessions, aftercare, and recovery support services.
Teen and Family Center: The Center offers evidenced based adolescent outpatient treatment services with a family component. Additionally, treatment services are provided to youth referred by HCJPD and TJJD.
Minorities Action Program (MAP): provides vital support to individuals at risk for communicable infections through education, free rapid testing for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C, and the distribution of condom kits. The services also include referrals and linkage to care.

Laredo

Concilio Hispano Libre (CHL): CHL is a CARF accredited program that provides Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment to both males and females through the generous support of Be Well Texas and TTOR.
Páso Libre: is another MOUD program for adults and gives an option for those with an opioid use disorder.
Treatment Alternative To Incarceration Program (TAIP): AAMA offers outpatient treatments services to clients referred by the Webb County CSCD.
U.S. Probation-Southern District of Texas: AAMA provides outpatient treatment services to clients referred by US probation

All services are provided regardless of the ability to pay

Services are provided in both English and Spanish

Policy Statements

SMS Texting Policy

Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for the use of SMS text messaging to ensure secure communication of Protected Health Information (PHI) and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and business associates who use SMS text messaging to communicate PHI or other sensitive information on behalf of AAMA.

Policy Statement

1. Prohibited Use of SMS for PHI Transmission

SMS text messaging is not a secure communication method. Transmission of PHI via standard SMS is strictly prohibited unless authorized encryption and security measures are implemented.

2. Permitted Use of SMS for Non-PHI Communication

SMS may be used for non-sensitive communications, such as appointment reminders and weather alerts, provided the content does not include PHI.

3. Secure Messaging Platforms

When PHI must be transmitted via text, employees must use an approved secure messaging platform that complies with HIPAA regulations, including encryption, audit logging, and user authentication.

4. Patient Consent

Patients must provide explicit written consent before receiving any SMS communications, including non-PHI content. Patients must be informed of the risks associated with SMS communication, including potential unauthorized access.

5. Patient Opt Out Instructions

Written consent must contain a statement acknowledging the patient's right to opt out of a messaging campaign.
If you wish to be removed from receiving future communications, you can opt out by texting STOP

6. Minimum Necessary Standard

Employees must ensure that any information transmitted via SMS adheres to the HIPAA "minimum necessary" standard, disclosing only the information required for a specific purpose.

7. Access Control and Authentication

Devices used for SMS communication must be protected with appropriate security controls, including device encryption, password protection, and remote wipe capabilities.

8. Retention and Documentation

SMS messages related to healthcare operations must be documented and retained according to AAMA's record retention policies and HIPAA regulations.

9. Monitoring and Auditing

Regular Audits will be conducted to ensure compliance with this policy. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment or contract.

Employee Responsibilities

Report any suspected breaches or unauthorized access to PHI transmitted via SMS immediately to the Director of HHS or the IT Director.

Enforcement

Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination, and may expose the individual or organization to legal consequences.

Definitions

Protected Health Information (PHI): Any information about health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare that can be linked to an individual.
Secure Messaging Platform: A communication tool that encrypts messages and meets HIPAA requirements.

SMS Privacy Policy

When you subscribe to our AAMA's SMS text messaging service, we may collect the following information:

Your mobile phone number
Your Name

2. Use of Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

To remind you of appointments
To notify you of weather-related issues, such as the clinic closing or a late opening

3. Consent

By subscribing to our SMS text messaging service, you consent to receive SMS messages from us. Your consent to receive these messages is not a condition for any treatment.

4. Opt-Out

You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying "STOP" to any message you receive from us. After you opt out, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. You can also notify us in person for support to opt out or for assistance.

5. Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. Your information is stored in secure networks and is only accessible by a limited number of personnel who have special access rights to such systems.

6. Data Sharing

We will not share, sell, or disclose your information to third parties.

We do not share personal data (phone numbers) and consent with third parties/affiliates or partners.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information that we hold. You can do so by contacting your counselor or the program aide. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this SMS Text Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website, and the date of the latest revision will be indicated. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.