In response to needs arising out of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their local communities and congregations, many communities of faith are developing education/prevention programs and outreach ministries to serve both those infected an affected by HIV disease. As part of that response, some congregations have adopted written policy statements regarding HIV/AIDS.

The Children's AIDS Fund (CAF) has assisted countless congregations across the nation in formulating their responses to the epidemic. The following points are, in CAF's view, vital for any congregation to keep in mind while developing any written statement or policy related to the epidemic.

1. Any written policy or statement should clearly state that the intent of the congregation is to include HIV infected and affected individuals as well as those with symptomatic AIDS, not to exclude them.
2. Any written policy of statement should be based on scientific and medical fact rather than a response to fear or lack of information.
3. If a detailed policy is developed, the congregation should consider making it age-specific, providing guidelines for dealing with infants and toddlers as opposed to treating all ages the same.
4. Any written policy or statement the congregation decides to adopt should be done in conjunction with an education program that focuses on church leadership as well as the congregation as a whole. The education and awareness program will help prepare members of the congregation to deal with HIV/AIDS by updating them on medical facts and approaches to outreach, while challenging them to become involved.
5. Any written policy should include a component of prevention education that the faith community takes on as its responsibility, including teaching its members that abstinence from sexual activity until marriage, faithfulness within marriage, and abstinence from alcohol and drug use are the only ways to truly prevent transmission of HIV. In addition, congregations may wish to add statements recommending HIV testing for couples married in the church to emphasize their commitment to chastity and as a prevention strategy.
6. Those responsible for developing policy statements should become familiar with state HIV/AIDS related legislation. Written policy statements must comply with state and federal law.
7. A congregation deciding to develop a policy statement should not simply adopt one that another group has written. Each congregation is unique in its make up and character. The congregation should draft policy statements with their own local program in mind.

Please contact CAF if you have questions related to developing HIV/AIDS education programs or policy statements for your congregation.

Children's AIDS Fund
P.O. Box 16433, Washington, DC 20041
Phone Toll-free: (866) 829-1560
Fax Toll-free: (800) 557-8529