Mission

The Topeka AIDS Project, Inc. is a community-based program committed to working with HIV-infected persons and their significant loved ones, and through education minimizing the HIV infection rate.

 The Topeka AIDS Project provides direct client services and networks closely with other community-based agencies and service providers to assist in meeting the clients’ social, legal, educational, and health care needs.

 In an effort to reduce HIV infection, the Topeka AIDS Project provides the communities with appropriate education services to increase understanding, reduce fears, and gain knowledge of risk-reduction practices.

Organization History

Topeka AIDS Project, Inc. (TAP) was founded in 1985 as a grassroots organization of the Gay and Lesbian community, incorporated in 1986, and achieved 501 (c)(3) status in 1987.

Originally designed to address the direct care needs of individuals diagnosed with AIDS, the agency later added HIV/AIDS prevention programs to reduce and/or eliminate the transmission of HIV.  TAP is the oldest AIDS Service Organization (ASO) in the State of Kansas, and has been instrumental in the development of other ASO’s throughout the State of Kansas.

 TAP is currently designated to serve Region 4 by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).  Region 4 encompasses 11 counties in Northeast Kansas:  Shawnee, Brown, Doniphan, Atchison, Nemaha, Jackson, Lyon, Osage, Wabaunsee, Morris, and Coffey.  Eight are defined as rural counties.  Four Native American Tribal Reservations are situated within this area:  Kickapoo, Potawatomie, Iowa, and Sac&Fox.

 In addition to prevention activities, TAP offers case management services to persons with HIV/AIDS.  Since its inception, TAP has served over 370 individuals with HIV/AIDS, and currently serves 96.  In our current population, 28% of our case management clients are African American; 63% are Caucasian; and 6% are Hispanic.  Males comprise 81% of our clients.  Of the 19% who are female, 67% are African American and 33% are Caucasian.  We serve individuals who have been clients since 1990, and it is clear that individuals from targeted populations see TAP as a valuable service provider.  Please note that our case management demographics more closely mirror national rather than regional ethnic and gender characteristics and reflect the ongoing use of TAP services by members of targeted populations.