Enhancement of Connect to Protect® (C2P)

Earlier phases of C2P have been outlined in ATN Protocols 016a, 016b, 040/040b. The C2P
community mobilization model entails: determining a geographic area and population of focus
for the coalitions to prioritize their planning and action (accomplished in an earlier phase
of C2P); coalitions establishing a shared vision and mission; development of a strategic
plan focused on structural changes to reduce risks associated with HIV; process
documentation; and feedback as technical assistance to the coalitions. The National
Coordinating Center (NCC), operating under the direction of the Protocol Chair, provides
guidance, training, technical assistance and feedback to coalitions.

This protocol continues the C2P mobilization effort and includes enhanced strategic planning
activities to assist the coalitions in identifying necessary and relevant structural
changes. The evaluation of C2P includes both process evaluation (i.e., documentation of
coalition actions and achievements of structural changes; and outcome evaluation to
qualitatively assess (via Key Informant (KI) interviews) if and how C2P efforts, including
completed structural changes, have influenced the risk environment within each community. In
addition, local health surveillance data and HIV testing data will be used to evaluate
changes in HIV testing patterns and HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) morbidity among
youth.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The intervention group = Community members who become engaged in the coalitions and
in the broader mobilization effort; and

2. The evaluation group = Key Informants within each C2P community who either work or
reside within the sectors or systems where structural changes have been accomplished
and/or the coalition has focused their strategic planning efforts.