The monitoring and evaluation of HIV prevention community planning is based on the three goals and eight objectives for HIV Prevention Community Planning. Each goal provides an overall direction for community planning. The goals are broad, however, the objectives delineate specific processes and products expected for each goal. In addition, fifty-two critical attributes have been designated to monitor implementation of each objective (see Appendix C for a complete list of attributes; note: jurisdictions are not required to individually report on each attribute listed). For example, if the designated attributes of an objective for a given jurisdiction are present in a community planning process, then there is an indication that the objective is being met.

Required activities to monitor and evaluate the extent to which each HIV prevention community planning goal and objective is being met is described in the most current CDC Evaluation Guidance . The Evaluation Guidance provides details on: (1) conducting an annual CPG membership survey, (2) describing priority populations, (3) describing their accompanying set of prevention/ interventions activities, and (4) assessing the linkages between the comprehensive HIV prevention plan and the CDC funding application, as well as the linkages between the plan and the funded interventions. Furthermore, four program performance indicators have been developed for HIV prevention community planning (see “Section VI: Accountability”). These indicators allow jurisdictions to obtain a snapshot of HIV prevention community planning implementation and provide findings to make improvements in the planning process. Data sources for these indicators are based on monitoring and evaluation activities in the Evaluation Guidance.

Monitoring and evaluation of HIV Prevention Community Planning is a shared responsibility between the health department and the CPG. However, health departments have the ultimate responsibility in reporting their monitoring and evaluation activities to CDC as required by Program Announcement 04012 and the Evaluation Guidance . The CDC is responsible for providing leadership in the evaluation of HIV prevention community planning, and the provision of evaluation technical assistance to effectively evaluate the community planning process.

The following Goals and Objectives of HIV prevention community planning provide a framework for monitoring and measuring progress in achieving a reduction of new HIV infections and reduced HIV-related morbidity.

Goal One — Community planning supports broad-based community participation in HIV prevention planning.

The Objectives that will be monitored and measured to determine progress in achieving Goal One:

• Objective A: Implement an open recruitment process (outreach, nominations, and selection) for CPG membership.
• Objective B: Ensure that the CPG(s) membership is representative of the diversity of populations most at risk for HIV infection and community characteristics in the jurisdiction, and includes key professional expertise and representation from key governmental and non-governmental agencies.
• Objective C: Foster a community planning process that encourages inclusion and parity among community planning members.

Goal Two — Community planning identifies priority HIV prevention needs (a set of priority target populations and interventions for each identified target population) in each jurisdiction.

The Objectives that will be monitored and measured to determine progress in achieving Goal Two:

• Objective D: Carry out a logical, evidence-based process to determine the highest priority, population-specific prevention needs in the jurisdiction.
• Objective E: Ensure that prioritized target populations are based on an epidemiologic profile and a community services assessment.
• Objective F: Ensure that prevention activities/interventions for identified priority target populations are based on behavioral and social science, outcome effectiveness, and/or have been adequately tested with intended target populations for cultural appropriateness, relevance, and acceptability.

Goal Three — Community planning ensures that HIV prevention resources target priority populations and interventions set forth in the comprehensive HIV prevention plan.

The Objectives that will be monitored and measured to determine progress in achieving Goal Three:

• Objective G: Demonstrate a direct relationship between the Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan and the Health Department Application for federal HIV prevention funding.
• Objective H: Demonstrate a direct relationship between the Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan and funded interventions.