Changes to federal HIV/AIDS funding is causing setbacks for some California AIDS groups, reports local newspaper The Press-Enterprise (pe.com, 2/13).

The newspaper reports that Inland AIDS Project, an organization that provides food vouchers, transportation, case management and other services to HIV-positive individuals, has been scrambling for money over the past year as infection rates and the number of clients in need of services have grown.

The organization received about $711,000 in 2007 in federal Ryan White funding—approximately $1 million less than the previous year.

“This last year has been the most difficult year we’ve ever had,” said Joy Gould, the agency’s chief executive officer.

Changes in funding mandates provide less money for support programs. According to the article, 75 percent of money must now go toward medical, substance abuse and other services, and no more than a quarter of funds can go toward food vouchers, case management and transportation.

Another group, Palm Springs-based Desert AIDS Project, is facing a  $200,000 drop in federal HIV/AIDS funds this year. “We saw a 25 percent increase in the number of patients in the last 12 months,” said David Brinkman, executive director of the organization. “We are forced to do more with less, and we’re forced to go to our private donor community and ask for more. It’s a huge strain.”