Title: Healthy Latino Families and Communities: Technical Assistance and Capacity Development HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program
Project Period: September 1, 2005 - August 31, 2008
Project Amount Funded (FY 2005): $268,969
Project Director: Edna Berastaín

The Healthy Latino Families and Communities project provides technical assistance and capacity development to 45 Latino-serving organizations throughout Connecticut. The project aims to expand the participation of grassroots, faith- and community-based organizations in addressing issues related to HIV as well as strengthen organizational competencies of participants in specific topic areas.

Key components of the project’s Capacity Development Support delivery system include assessment, technical assistance/capacity development plan, Capacity Development Orientation and Academy, mini-grants, and evaluation. The assessment involves the use of an Organizational Assessment Scale that determines the existing capacity level based on eight key areas (e.g., financial management, human resources, community relations). Each organization works with project staff in developing a technical assistance plan with specific priority activities, outcomes, indicators, and timelines for achieving measurable results. A one-day orientation session is required for all participants to receive project training and technical assistance. The Capacity Development Academy provides a series of workshops based on organizational assessments and includes topics such as leadership development, organizational development, HIV programs and services, funding and sustainability, community engagement, and cultural competence. Mini-grants are available on a competitive basis to support capacity development in community outreach and education and start-up of new programs. Evaluation activities will measure specific outcomes related to building agency capacity, enhancing infrastructure, systems change, and increased access to the community.

Click here for a listing of all FY 2005-2007 grantees