November 5, 2009

California: Two AIDS Groups Merge to Overcome Economic Woes

Two Monterey County, California, HIV/AIDS organizations—the Monterey County AIDS Project and John XXIII—are merging to form Central Coasts HIV/AIDS Services (CCHAS) to cope with California budget cuts, reports The Salinas Californian.

Five months ago, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger used his veto power to cut $52 million from HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs statewide. The cuts reduced by 25 percent the operational budgets of Monterey County and John XXIII.

In August, boards from both groups decided to consolidate in an effort to provide “sustainable and streamlined continuous care” for those living with HIV/AIDS, said John XXIII spokesman Tom Melville.

According to the article, CCHAS will provide HIV/AIDS housing programs, high-risk HIV education, testing, interventions and end-of-life services.

The new organization is in a transition period and will not be official for another two to six months.

Search: California, Schwarzenegger, budget cuts, Monterey County AIDS Project, John XXIII

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