The Georgia
Department of Human Resources has rescinded a $150,000 grant
to the Atlanta AIDS service organization AID Atlanta for a
syphilis education and prevention program targeting
gay men, the Southern Voice reports. The grant was
rescinded because AID Atlanta failed to meet all the
requirements for the program, such as having
state licensing to perform on-site syphilis testing,
or having agreements with other health agencies to
conduct follow-up and case management services for
those testing positive for the sexually transmitted
disease.
The Department of
Human Resources has reissued a request for grant
proposals for the syphilis funds, which were allocated
through the federal Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
AID Atlanta had
planned to use part of the grant money to open a gay
men's health clinic. Steve Balfour, AID Atlanta
executive director, told the Southern Voice the
agency is continuing to seek private and corporate
grants to establish the clinic. He also says AID
Atlanta is resolving the issues raised by the state health
officials and will apply for the syphilis grant again.
(The Advocate)