In 2002, HIV Care Services (HIVCS) formed a Community Advisory Group (CAG). The mission of the CAG is to make recommendations about HIVCS contract administration and monitoring services to support its continuing quality improvement. The CAG consists of Ryan White PART A and HIV prevention contractors, consumers of the services provided by those contractors, representatives of the Ryan White Planning Council, Prevention Planning Group, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) and HIVCS staff.

There are 23 seats on the HIV CAG: 12 are individuals representing Ryan White and/or HIV prevention contract agencies, and three are consumers of these agencies. There are eight standing members: the HIVCS Vice President for HIV Programs and Special Initiatives; two representatives from NYCDOHMH, a representative of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, and members of the Ryan White Planning Council and the Prevention Planning Group. CAG members serve a term of two years.

The agency and consumer representatives are selected by a committee consisting of representatives of the previous CAG, HIVCS, and NYCDOHMH. The Selection Committee aims to maintain a membership that is representative of the contracting community, including representation of the major types of HIVCS contract agencies, and the expertise of individual applicants related to governmental contract administration and management functions.

Since its inception, the CAG has had several major accomplishments:

• improvements to Public Health Solutions’ streamlined contract renewal and reporting process,
• development of Grievance Policies and Procedures for contractors and consumers,
• provision of valuable recommendations regarding HIV Care Services' web site,
• vetting and piloting HIV Care Services' customer satisfaction survey,
• initiating the concept of peer-led contractor networking forums and assuming leadership roles in them,
• helping HIVCS operationalize communications regarding performance-based reimbursement