AFC Community Initiatives
In addition to directing resources towards grants to support projects undertaken by other community agencies, the AFC also engages in and funds initiatives aimed at building the community’s capacity to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These initiatives include trainings for professionals, large-scale evaluation projects, research, and convening.
Among the community initiatives currently underway are:
Evaluation of the K-12 Responsible Sexual Behavior Initiative in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD)—In 2006-2007, CMSD launched a K-12 Responsible Sexual Behavior (RSB) curriculum with the goal of providing age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education each year to all students from kindergarten through grade 12. To document the impact of this innovative programming, in 2007 the AFC engaged nationally-recognized evaluators Philliber Research Associates (PRA) to design and implement an annual evaluation of the RSB initiative. A group of community stakeholders, including funders, the county and city health departments, and staff at CMSD have collaborated with the AFC and PRA to inform the design and implementation of the evaluation since its inception. Thus far, the evaluations have demonstrated improvements in students' knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behavioral intent as a result of the program, gains among students who have received the curriculum year after year, progress towards institutionalization and sustainability of the initiative within CMSD, and strong support for the initiative among parents, teachers, and community leaders. The evaluation has also informed a number of recommendations to improve the program, and several of these have already been implemented. Evaluation results for 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 school years are available below. The 2010-2011 evaluation is ongoing.
2009-2010 Evaluation: The full report, report appendices, briefs focused on specific aspects of the findings, and announcement of the results are available here.
2008-2009 Evaluation: The full report, briefs, and appendices are available here.
HIV Outreach Coordination Project –The AFC is working with community agencies and partners in an effort to increase coordination of HIV outreach and satellite HIV testing efforts throughout Cleveland. GIS mapping conducted by The Center for Community Solutions has enabled initial identification of underserved areas and areas of overlap. Work continues to identify training needs and opportunities for collaboration to ensure high quality, stream-lined, coordinated and well-distributed outreach efforts, including off-site HIV testing, to reach those populations that are at greatest risk.
Capacity Building Partnership with Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) – The AFC has partnered with BVU to address the organizational capacity needs of agencies in Cuyahoga County that provide HIV/AIDS programming and services. Seven agencies took advantage of the opportunity for BVU to conduct an individualized needs assessment, which identified organizational priorities related to governance, Board and management staff development, utilization of volunteers, and other organizational capacity needs. With funding from the AFC, these agencies are now addressing these identified priorities through BVU services.