Councilmember David A. Catania - D.C. Pledges $3.6 Million To Whitman-Walker

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January 6, 2009
07:32 pm
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D.C. Pledges $3.6 Million To Whitman-Walker

Under considerable pressure from Councilmember David Catania and the D.C. Council, Mayor Williams came forward with a plan to provide financial support to the Whitman-Walker Clinic. Through a variety of means, more than $3 million will go to the Clinic for the continuation of direct services to District residents.

"Whitman-Walker plays a vital role in taking on the HIV/AIDS crisis in the District," Catania said. "We simply cannot risk the elimination of important programs the clinic provides to those living with and fighting this disease."

Under the proposal submitted to the Council, $1,030,000 will be redirected to Whitman-Walker from unspent funds within the HIV/AIDS Administration for primary medical care, case management, and testing at the Clinic's centers in Northwest and Southeast Washington. The Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration will provide a grant of $1,014,000 for direct services and building improvements at the Bridge Back and Scott Harper House programs. $100,000 will also be used to hire a fiscal advisor responsible for reviewing finances, making recommendations to improve the organization's financial state, and report on the Clinic's financial condition to the District. These funds will be made available to Whitman-Walker on an expedited basis.

The Council took action July 6, 2005, to make an additional $1.525 million available to the clinic on October 1, 2005, the beginning of Fiscal year 2006. The Committee on Health had already allocated $1 million for substance abuse services to individuals with HIV/AIDS. The balance will come from unobligated funds within the HIV/AIDS Administration.

To ensure adequate oversight of these stabilization funds, the Whitman-Walker Clinic will hire an independent and unbiased agent to review its current and long-term financial outlook. The Clinic will also increase the amount of direct fundraising it performs, rather that relying on event-based fundraising; involve the District in formulating its 2006 budget; submit quarterly financial reports; and consider the sale of real estate assets to increase its reserve.

Catania continued, "In recent weeks, substantial donations have been announced that demonstrate the community's level of commitment to the Clinic. Those efforts are important and noteworthy, and now the District has stepped up to the plate to make sure services are not disrupted by short-term financial difficulties."