Abbott Laboratories and the Abbott Laboratories Fund are working to improve the lives of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children through Step Forward, its long-term, multi-million dollar philanthropic program. The program, launched in July 2000, has programs in Romania, India, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. Step Forward's central feature is its focus on collaboration and community engagement. In partnership with national, regional and local governments and international and local NGOs, Step Forward develops and funds model community programs in these areas: improving local health care services and infrastructure, offering HIV counseling and testing, meeting basic community needs (such as providing clean water), and strengthening local schools.