Arkansas: $340,419 Given to Fight AIDS' Spread -- State Commission's Grants Go to 7 Groups Targeting the Vulnerable

Seven groups will split $340,419 in funding from the Arkansas Minority Health Commission to combat HIV/AIDS. "Our goal is to strengthen organizations across the state by building our capacity to implement HIV prevention and awareness programs," said Patricia Minor, a registered nurse and project manager for the commission's HIV/AIDS Outreach Initiative.

The organizations, which will receive grants of up to $50,000, work with populations at high risk of the disease, such as college students, teens, the homeless, men who have sex with men, and black and Hispanic women. Grantees include:

• Arkansas Human Development Corp. -- to conduct HIV/AIDS education and testing among area Hispanics.

• Black Community Developers Inc. -- to provide HIV prevention education messages to people ages 12-25 through its "Play Safe" visual and performing arts-based education program.

• Brotha's and Sistah's Inc. -- for HIV prevention education and testing.

• Future Builders Inc. -- for the "It's Your Choice" program to reduce risky behavior among 600 homeless African-Americans in Pulaski County.

• Jefferson Comprehensive Care System Inc. -- for its SISTAHS program to teach 48 randomly selected female college students about HIV/AIDS prevention.

• Tri County Rural Health Network -- to host health meetings for residents of Lee, Monroe, Phillips, and St. Francis counties.

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