Private agency will administer Norfolk, Va., AIDS funds

Government officials in Norfolk, Va., under fire for failing to spend federal AIDS funds meant to benefit low-income people in the region, have decided to hand over management of federal Ryan White grants to the Planning Council, a private nonprofit group, the Virginian-Pilot reports. Norfolk has one of the worst records in the nation for using federal AIDS money; as many as 900 low-income, HIV-positive residents are not receiving care despite unspent money being available for treatment and support programs. AIDS funds management in the city has changed hands three times over the past five years. The grants had previously been coordinated by a program director in the city manager's office. Norfolk city attorney Bernard Pishko said the Planning Council is currently in the process of hiring a Ryan White program director to manage the federal AIDS funds.