About The Louisiana Community AIDS Partnership

More than 17,000 individuals are living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana and far too many continue to become infected with HIV each year. Louisiana ranked 5^th highest in the country for AIDS case rates and 12^th in the number of reported AIDS cases in 2009. There are persons living with HIV in every parish of Louisiana (source: 2009 HIV/AIDS Program Report, Louisiana Office of Public Health).

Established in 2007, the Louisiana Community AIDS Partnership (LCAP) is a statewide collaborative convened by the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) in alliance with AIDS United. LCAP’s mission is to prevent new infections and improve the health and quality of life of individuals living with, vulnerable to, and affected by HIV/AIDS in Louisiana through public-private partnerships at the community, parish, state and national levels. 

What We Do   

• Community Challenge Grant – Each year the Louisiana Community AIDS Partnership raises money to meet a national match provided by AIDS United and the Elton John Foundation. These funds are used to educate people in Louisiana about HIV/AIDS; develop innovative ways to prevent HIV/AIDS; provide support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS; and reduce the stigma and discrimination often associated with HIV/AIDS. Since 2009, approximately $375,000 has been raised and awarded to 14 community-based organizations across the state to conduct HIV/AIDS related activities.
• Positive Charge - LPHI and its partners are implementing and evaluating 4 linkage to care interventions for individuals newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or persons living with HIV/AIDS that are considered out of care in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lake Charles. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to decrease unmet need for HIV care in Louisiana.
• Technical Assistance and Training - LCAP provides ongoing technical assistance and training to community-based organizations in Louisiana to enhance their ability to respond to the HIV epidemic in their local communities. 
• Social Marketing Initiative – LPHI is currently implementing and evaluating a social marketing campaign about sexual health among African American youth and young adults in the Baton Rouge area.  
• LPHI serves as a convener and facilitator in the development of statewide and community HIV action plans. 
• LPHI works to engage and mobilize local communities in the state to respond to HIV/AIDS in their respective jurisdictions.