Show Your Support of the Policy Committee’s Position Papers

The Consortium’s Planning Council - the state’s integrated planning group - is charged with developing the state’s comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment plan, which examines HIV/STD needs (met and unmet) statewide, establishes priority populations, and recommends appropriate services and interventions for those populations. Its Policy Committee analyzes and evaluates current policy issues related to the HIV/AIDS community; provides guidance and recommendations to the Consortium, elected officials and the general public; and devises strategies for legislative initiatives when appropriate. In 2010, the two groups began collaborating on a series of White Papers (position papers) associated with current issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Delaware. As White Papers are completed, organizations and individual are enlisted to “sign-on” in support. The White Papers then are utilized to educate and initiate discussion with community, faith-based and government stakeholders.

Completed White Papers and Policy Briefs (summaries) can be viewed by clicking on their links below. If you or your organization would like to be listed as a supporter, contact Joe Scarborough at jscarborough@delawarehiv.org or by phone (302-654-5471), giving your name, title, agency name (if applicable), phone number, and name of each White Paper being supported. Questions can be addressed to him as well.

Summary:   Knowing one’s HIV status and accessing medical care are key to HIV prevention and transmission. The only way to know one’s HIV status is through simple, inexpensive blood testing. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated testing recommendations over the years in light of an evolving epidemic, most recently in 2006. Delaware’s legislature adopted a portion of the recommendations in 2009—those regarding pregnant women. The Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing White Paper provides justification for adopting the CDC’s remaining recommendations.

Summary:   In 2006, the Delaware legislature approved a five-year pilot needle exchange program (NEP), scheduled to end February 2012. Extensive research has demonstrated that NEPs have many benefits, including reducing HIV transmission through linkage to HIV care. The NEP White Paper outlines Delaware’s successes with its NEP and justification for its continuance and expansion.