In 1988, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, awarded a grant to Children's Hospital to establish the program now known as the Family Advocacy, Care and Education Services program, or FACES. Initially, Children's Hospital was funded through the Pediatric AIDS Demonstration Project to create the Pediatric AIDS Program. In 1998, the name was changed from the Pediatric AIDS Program to FACES to more accurately reflect the variety of services offered within this department. In nineteen years, FACES has grown from a case management and HIV education demonstration project, to a multi-service, comprehensive program in New Orleans with sub-contracted services in four additional regions: Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport and Lafayette.

HIV/AIDS services throughout the nation are funded primarily through federal grants. FACES, which directly targets women, children, youth, and families, is one of 91 programs across the country that receive funding directly from the HIV/AIDS Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Ryan White Part D Program.

FACES is the largest provider of HIV/AIDS social services focused on both women and their families in the Greater New Orleans area. Our target population includes HIV-infected and affected women, pregnant women, infants, youth, adolescents and families. Our organization administers projects that provide supportive services for individuals and families impacted by HIV disease and dual diagnoses of substance use and mental health issues.

Ryan White funds also come to the city (through Ryan White Part A), and to the State of Louisiana's Office of Public Health (Ryan White Part B). Part C programs provide HIV primary care which is accessed through the Medical Centers of Louisiana clinics across the state.

In New Orleans, the FACES program is the largest in terms of its Part D services and is also supported by Ryan White Part A funds and the Louisiana Office of Community Services.

FACES has been successful in providing a comprehensive, community-based system of support services for women, children, youth and families. These services include: case management, health education, adherence counseling, mental health/substance abuse counseling, transportation assistance, and child and respite care. FACES has particular expertise in assisting HIV-infected pregnant women in assuring their retention in care to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. In addition FACES' Hispanic Outreach program allows for the provision of services to the Spanish-speaking target population.

Click here to download our FACES brochure ( .pdf format)