This committee is designed to acknowledge the collective importance of consumer participation in Planning Council (PC) strategic activities and provide consumer education on HIV-related matters. The committee will serve as a place where consumers can safely and in an environment of trust discuss PC work plans and activities. This committee will verify consumer participation on each of the standing committees of the PC, with the exception of the Steering Committee (the Chair of the Affected Community Committee will represent the committee on the Steering Committee).

When providing consumer education, the committee should not use pharmaceutical representatives to present educational information. Once a year, the committee may host a presentation where all HIV/AIDS-related drug representatives are invited.

The committee will consist of HIV+ individuals, their caregivers (friends or family members) and others. All members of the PC who self-disclose as HIV+ are requested to be a member of the Affected Community Committee; however membership on a committee for HIV+ individuals will not be restricted to the Affected Community Committee.