The purpose of this program is to support Community-Led Monitoring of HIV services at selected health service sites to promote improvements in the HIV response under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).Community-led monitoring (CLM) is a technique initiated and implemented by local community-based organizations and other civil society groups, networks of key populations (KP), people living with HIV (PLHIV), and other affected groups or other community entities that gathers quantitative and qualitative data about HIV services. The focus is on getting input from recipients of HIV services, especially key populations and underserved groups, in a routine and systematic manner that will translate into action and change. CLM is central to PEPFAR’s client-centered approach because it helps puts communities, their needs, and their voices at the center of the HIV response.

Why does PEPFAR support Community-Led Monitoring?

CLM conducted by local civil society organizations helps PEPFAR programs and health institutions diagnose and pinpoint persistent problems, challenges, and barriers related to HIV service access, uptake, and retention at the community and facility level. CLM aims to improve HIV service delivery and client outcomes by identifying data-driven solutions to overcome barriers and ensure beneficiaries receive optimal client-centered HIV services in a manner that is productive, collaborative, respectful, and solutions-oriented.

Who does PEPFAR fund for CLM?

PEPFAR-supported CLM is conducted objectively by independent, local community organizations. PEPFAR implementing partners who currently work on service delivery at the site level are not eligible for CLM funding, even if they will sub-grant to a local civil society organization.

What is monitored and how?

Systematic and routine, with follow up and continuous improvement.
Tailored to the needs identified by local communities, with communities directly determining the scope.
Allow for community and host country government development of the specific metrics, measures, or tools to be used for CLM. Metrics or measures should be tailored to a given context and address the specific needs and concerns of community members.
Triangulated with, but not duplicative of, other PEPFAR data streams. Community-led monitoring data should reflect an ‘added value’ and not duplicate collection of routine data already available to PEPFAR. ‘Added value’ monitoring data includes: information from beneficiaries about their experience with the health facility, information about barriers and enablers to access and retention in services, etc.
Productive, collaborative, respectful, and solutions-oriented.
Action-oriented with an associated follow-up process with the health facility that is overseen by U.S. government staff, committed to corrective public health action, and involves community advocacy to improve service outcomes