Peace Corps will support three primary activities to enhance the integration of HIV/AIDS activities into the four sectors in which Peace Corps volunteers are assigned (Education, Small Enterprise Development, Environment, and Health/Water and Sanitation).

Firstly, all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) and their counterparts will receive HIV/AIDS and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) sessions during Pre Service Training (PST). This section of PST will introduce participants to PEPFAR; build their capacity to lead intervention activities through classroom and field exercises, and introduce appropriate community assessment tools. The training will help deepen participants understanding of the epidemiology and drivers of the Ghana HIV/AIDS epidemic and build their capacities to design and implement results-oriented, community-initiated HIV/AIDS projects that focus primarily on HVAB, HVOP and HBHC activities. PCVs and counterparts' BCC interventions will support improved access to HIV related health services, including Counseling and Testing, STI management; other areas of focus will be abstinence, increased condom use, partner reduction and improved acceptance of PLHIV. Most- At-Risk-Populations (MARP) will also be targeted as part of the general population programs. The training will be facilitated by the PEPFAR Coordinator and other technical resource persons from the USG, USG implementing partners and/or local institutions.

Secondly, Peace Corps supports its volunteers and their counterparts' implementation of HIV/AIDS activities through the administration of VAST grants. VAST grants finance the implementation of community-level interventions. PCVs and counterparts will gain an understanding of the VAST grant process and how it can support community HIV and AIDS interventions from initial assessment to final reporting. All VAST activities are closely coordinated with District Health Management Teams, and Peace Corps volunteers are encouraged to integrate capacity building efforts into their activities. To promote local ownership and sustainability, a community contribution of at least 25% of the total project cost is required. Peace Corps' also promotes sustainability and cost efficiency by building strong partnerships with local community groups, schools, and District Assemblies. Thirdly, Peace Corps will organize an All Volunteers conference/training event that will proide PCVs an opportunty to disseminate project related information (lessons learnt, challenges, best practices, recommendation) to their peers in a variety of focus areas such as target populations, region of activity, intervention types, and program sector in order to better plan future HIV/AIDS activities. They will review their HIV activities in relation to their program sectors. Participants' will gain increased knowledge and skills, and will be able to use evidence-based approaches in their HIV/AIDS interventions. Additional activities that Peace Corps will orgnaize are: A Partners Meeting to promote and strengthen a collaborative approach among PCVs (and counterparts) and key stakeholders in the design and implementation of HIV inteventions at the community level. Participating stakeholders/partners will learn and understand PC's PEPFAR program and the activities of PCVs and counterparts in the national response against HIV/AIDS. PCVs will also learn about the roles of participating stakeholders in their respective communities and establish working relationships with participating stakeholders and actively engage them in their HIV activities. PCVs and PEPFAR partners will raise awareness of HIV/AIDs by developing the HIV/AIDS (PEPFAR)Calender for Ghana (2012). PCVs will develop art projects in their communities for a national-level competition. The Country Team will select the art for inclusion into the final calander to be produced by the end of 2011.

Peace Corps staff regularly conducts field monitoring and support visits to volunteers' sites. Volunteers receive training in PEPFAR reporting and submit regular progress reports using a standardized reporting tool. Where possible, volunteers build the M&E capacity of local partners.

Peace Corps will build the capacities of its 155 volunteers and their local Ghanaian counterparts to promote community-based health care and support for PLHIV. Peace Corps will also administer small grants to provide volunteers and their counterparts with the resources necessary to extend and optimize the quality of life for HIV-infected persons and their families. With FY11 funds, selected PLHIV groups will be provided with psychological and social support, including individual and group counseling, peer support programs, income-generating activities, training of caregivers, and PwP training.

Peace Corps will build the capacities of its 155 volunteers and their local Ghanaian counterparts to promote prevention activities, including life-skills training and promoting ABC messages, through community-initiated outreach activities. Peace Corps will also administer small grants to provide volunteers and their counterparts with the resources necessary to implement prevention activities. To leverage USG investments, Peace Corps will incorporate some of the training resources developed by USAID implementing partners into its training and project activities. Peace Corps will partner with local civil society and/or USAID implementing partners working in some of the higher HIV/AIDS prevalence areas in Ghana (e.g. Yilo Krobo District).

Peace Corps will build the capacities of its 155 volunteers and their local Ghanaian counterparts to promote prevention activities, including life-skills training and promoting ABC messages, through community-initiated outreach activities. Peace Corps will also administer small grants to provide volunteers and their counterparts with the resources necessary to implement prevention activities. To leverage USG investments, Peace Corps will incorporate some of the training resources developed by USAID implementing partners into its training and project activities. Peace Corps will partner with local civil society and/or USAID implementing partners working in some of the higher HIV/AIDS prevalence areas in Ghana. Peace Corps will organize an All Volunteers conference/training event that will proide PCVs an opportunty to disseminate project related information (lessons learnt, challenges, best practices, recommendation) to their peers in a variety of focus areas such as target populations, region of activity, intervention types, and program sector in order to better plan future HIV/AIDS activities. They will review their HIV activities in relation to their program sectors. Participants' will gain increased knowledge and skills, and will be able to use evidence-based approaches in their HIV/AIDS interventions. Additional activities that Peace Corps will orgnaize are: A Partners Meeting to promote and strengthen a collaborative approach among PCVs (and counterparts) and key stakeholders in the design and implementation of HIV inteventions at the community level. Participating stakeholders/partners will learn and understand PC's PEPFAR program and the activities of PCVs and counterparts in the national response against HIV/AIDS. PCVs will also learn about the roles of participating stakeholders in their respective communities and establish working relationships with participating stakeholders and actively engage them in their HIV activities. Also, PCVs and PEPFAR partners will raise awareness of HIV/AIDs by developing the HIV/AIDS (PEPFAR) Calender for Ghana (2012). PCVs will develop art projects in their communities for a national-level competition. The Country Team will select the art for inclusion into the final calander to be produced by the end of 2011.