Acadiana CARES is the only non-profit, AIDS Service Organization for Region IV (Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, and Vermilion) and its combined population of 584,118. Based in Lafayette, LA, it is a client-centered organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities affected by HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and substance abuse to change their lives by embracing a holistic approach to a healthy and self-determined life. In the early 1980’s, volunteers in the Lafayette area came together in response to the AIDS epidemic to assist persons with HIV/AIDS. In 1985, this group formed an incorporated 501(c)3 non-profit named Lafayette C.A.R.E.S. (Concern for AIDS, Relief, Education, and Support). Their early mission was to provide education and services for the purpose of HIV/AIDS prevention and the care of those affected by HIV/AIDS. In 1995 – during its tenth anniversary, the group reorganized itself under a new name – Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. – to reflect the regional work done by the organization. At the regional level, Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. offered services to persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Region IV – which includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. began providing HIV/AIDS Prevention and related services statewide in 1992, a service CARES still handles today. Today, the organization has expanded its services to include not only the battle against, the prevention of, and the treatment of HIV/AIDS, but also has programs designed for those in high-risk populations that don’t have HIV/AIDS in an attempt to help prevent the spread of the disease. As the group continues to evolve and grow, it has been essential for the group to have a public image that symbolizes this evolution. The MBA Program at the University of Louisiana – Lafayette as well as a senior-level marketing class have been working with Acadiana CARES to create a new and more aggressive strategic plan that addresses the ever-changing image and service-needs of the agency as well as suggestions to improve its public image and broaden the scope of citizens who know of the agency. CARES provides a wide range of services for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Public Health Region IV (consisting of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, and Vermilion parishes). The agency serves approximately 600 clients in a given calendar year. Current services include: Ryan White Part B Medical and Non-Medical Case Management, Transportation, HOPWA Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), HOPWA Short Term Rent, Mortgage and Utility (STRMU) Assistance, Emergency, Transitional, and Permanent Supportive Housing, Mainstream Case Management, Psychosocial Support, Mental Health Therapy/Counseling, Substance Abuse Treatment/Counseling, Oral Health Care, Medication Assistance, Food Bank, Community Resource Referral, Application Assistance, Physician Linkage, Direct Emergency Financial Assistance, Educational Workshops, AIDS Hotline, Free HIV Testing, Prevention, Counseling and Referral, Partner Elicitation, Community Education, Outreach, and Printed Resources. The primary goals of Acadiana CARES are to:
• Improve the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS.
• Develop and expand relationships with other agencies that are able to provide needed services to those infected with HIV/AIDS.
• Increase social awareness and behavioral change in the high-risk populations.
• Increase awareness among those infected with HIV/AIDS of available services.
• Address the myriad issues that contribute to the HIV/AIDS
