SAMPLE POLICIES

SAMPLE POLICIES

Someone At School Has AIDS

General School Health Updated 2006

(This statement offers school districts an excellent model policy for protecting the health and privacy of all students, no matter what their infectious disease status. This document addresses HIV, but could easily be adapted to include hepatitis B and C.)

 

With support from CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health and many collaborating partners, NASBE (National Association of State Boards of Education) has developed sample policies on various school health topics that states, districts, and schools can adopt or adapt for themselves. These policy suggestions are written as statements of best practice that all states, school districts, public schools, and private schools should endeavor to adopt. The points they address were suggested by the CDC's scientifically rigorous school health guidelines (http://www.cdc.gov/Healthy Youth/Publications/Guidelines.htm), actual state and local policies, and comments reflecting the expert opinions of many reviewers. Someone at School has AIDS A Complete Guide to Education Policies Concerning HIV InfectionUpdated 2001 Every state and school district needs policies that address serious issues raised by HIV infection. Sound policies provide essential guidance to educators; reassurance to families, students, and school staff members; legal protection for schools; and support for people with the virus. Well drafted and administered, they can also help to prevent or contain controversy. Various laws establish parameters for policy options concerning HIV infection, notably the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The policy development process should involve medical and legal experts and those affected by the policy, and welcome diverse points of view from the community. Locally developed procedures should accompany general statements of policy. Education leaders need to actively communicate and engage in dialogue with the community about HIV-related school policies and procedures. Educators ought to work

PKIDs’ PHRwww.pkids.org 2 SAMPLE POLICY with their local health department to educate the public about medical and legal issues concerning HIV infection.Finally, policymakers and educators should be aware that even if a state, school district, school or early childhood center has previously established policies regarding HIV infection, the challenge is not over. Policies adopted just a few years ago might not be adequate to deal with today's issues. New laws, scientific data, and lessons from experience continually emerge. This second edition of Someone at School has AIDSalso aims to help those who are revising existing policies. The following Sample Policy contains the essential areas of education policy concerning HIV infection that are covered in the guide. For full document please click here.