ACCH - Alberta Community Council on HIV

ACCH - Alberta Community Council on HIV

ACCH - News

ACCH - Events

What is the Alberta Community HIV Fund?

The Alberta Community HIV Fund is a joint community/provincial/federal fund disbursement model developed through consultation with representatives from Alberta community-based HIV organizations, persons living with HIV/AIDS, the regional health authorities, and provincial and federal health departments.

ACHF replaces Public Health Agency of Canada's guidelines for the AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) and Alberta Health and Wellness' guidelines for community organization grants for HIV Community Care and Support and for the Prevention and Control of HIV.

The Alberta Community HIV Fund is administered by the Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH) a partnership of thirteen non-profit, community-based HIV organizations who come together to present a unified provincial voice on common HIV issues, provide training opportunities, and participate in community and organizational development.

The ACHF Steward works directly with community groups throughout the year. The Steward is available to assist in the development of and revisions to funding proposals, evaluation plans, workplans and budgets.

In 2005, an Evaluation Consultant was hired to conduct an evaluation of the ACHF funding model. The report summarizes input from a variety of stakeholders in the model, and concludes with a series of recommendations regarding improvements to the ACHF model. The evaluation concluded that the ACHF is an innovative funding model that effectively merges government and community interests. To see this evaluation, click here.

In 2005, the Public Health Agency of Canada hired an Evaluation Consultant to prepare a Final Report on the 2001/2004 ACHF fund cycle. The purpose of the evaluation was to analyse and interpret data in relation to the evaluation questions outlined in the ACHF Provincial Evaluation Framework and to summarize data according to each of the five Funding Approaches. The Final Report concluded that a great deal of activities intended to create supportive environments, facilitate health promotion for people living with HIV, prevent HIV among populations known to be vulnerable, reduce the negative consequences of high risk behaviour, and strengthen community based organizations were reported during the first three year funding cycle and that organizations were encouraged to conduct routine data collection to help increase understanding regarding the impact of these activities. Progress, growth, areas for improvement, promising practices, and lessons learned were identified and have been summarized in the report to serve as a basis for reviewing, planning and evaluating subsequent funding cycles. The report made seven recommendations, some of which were acted on by the Alberta Community HIV Fund. To see the 2001/2004 Final Report for the funding cycle 2001/2004, click here.

On October 21, 2005, the ACHF Provincial Population Health Consortium held an Environmental Scan day. The purpose of the day was to critically analyse the evolving local, provincial and national context of HIV/AIDS work with other ACHF stakeholders using a participatory approach. To see the report of the results of this meeting, click here.

In the summer of 2006, the Alberta Community Council on HIV, on behalf of the Alberta Community HIV Fund, commissioned a needs assessment focused on Community Planning Committees (CPCs) and their major roles. The needs assessment focused on: (1) identifying current/future stakeholders in HIV programming, and (2) identifying CPC support needs regarding strengthening their ability to fulfill key roles. The needs assessment provides an overview of each CPC, and summarizes CPC feedback into primary and secondary theme areas. The report concludes with five recommendations for ACHF with respect to CPCs. To see the Community Planning Committee Needs Assessment, click here.

In 2008, the Alberta Community HIV Fund engaged PRA Inc. to conduct a study to determine Aboriginal preferences for accessing and receiving HIV/AIDS information and services off-reserve.  To see the Executive Summary of the final report, click here.

The 2004/2007 ACHF funding cycle evaluation was completed in March, 2008.  The Public Health Agency of Canada hired a consultant who worked with a committee of ACCH member agencies and government representatives to design and monitor the evaluation.  To see the 2004/2007 ACHF Outcome Evaluation, click here.

ACHF outcome evaluations have been based on the ACHF Provincial Evaluation Framework, which was initially developed in 2003.  The ACHF Provincial Evaluation Framework was revised following recommendations in the 2004/2007 ACHF Outcome Evaluation and again in the summer of 2008.  Subsequent ACHF evaluations have been based upon this new framework.  To see the 2007/2008 ACHF Outcome Evaluation, click here.  To see the 2008/2009 ACHF Outcome Evaluation, click here.  To see the Revised ACHF Provincial Evaluation Framework, click here.

ACHF Objectives

The objectives of the Alberta Community HIV Fund include the following programming and funding management benefits:

  • a more simplified and transparent funding allocation process reflecting communities needs;
  • improved coordination among HIV programs and services;
  • increased involvement of community and improved use of community resources;
  • limited service duplication/program duplication; and,
  • increased opportunities to access additional funds through health and other sectors.