THE FAITH BASED INITIATIVE PROGRAM

In 2005, Baton Rouge AIDS Society (BRASS) was awarded a grant by the Office of Minority Health to develop its faith-based initiative in a program entitled "Faith-based AIDS Coalition for Technical assistance and Services" or "F.A.C.T.S." BRASS was granted additional funding in 2008 to continue F.A.C.T.S.

Through the F.A.C.T.S Program, BRASS offers technical assistance and capacity-building services to twelve carefully selected faith-based minority-serving communities located in high-risk, socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Baton Rouge where HIV/AIDS services are most needed, yet inaccessible.

Program activities include: 1) technical assistance to participants from BRASS in developing capacity to provide HIV/AIDS prevention education and services to the target population in their communities; and 2) periodic trainings by the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) to assist participants in growing as sustainable organizations.