Grant for Atlanta
syphilis project rescinded

The Georgia Department of Human Resources has rescinded a $150,000 grant to the Atlanta AIDS service organization AID Atlanta for a syphilis education and prevention program targeting gay men, the Southern Voice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 The grant was rescinded because AID Atlanta failed to meet all the requirements for the program, such as having state licensing to perform on-site syphilis testing, or having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)