MCPS Allergy Procedures: Life Threatening

1. MCPS Allergy Procedures: Life Threatening

2. Past Allergy Procedures Upon initial enrollment No computer entry No dissemination of info Teachers (k-5) reviewed No info re: allergen, reaction or treatment Limited nurse awareness/involvement Who can administer? What is anaphylaxis?

3. 2012-13 Snapshot • 134 students reported to have RX for Epi • 52 had Epi in “office” • 27 students had H/O symptoms that “may be” indicative of anaphylaxis w/o RX • 17 had an outdated anaphylaxis plan • 40 had current anaphylaxis plan

4. Current Procedures • Screening • Initial steps • Communication with parents • Section 504 • Parent obligations • Information dissemination • Training

5. Screening □ Allergies: To what? ____________________________ Symptoms your child had: ______________ What medications were used to treat those symptoms? _____________________ Has your child ever been given a written prescription for epinephrine (Epipen)? Yes * No Enrollment, 2nd, 5th, 8th Reviewed Computer entered Health alerts and standard language

6. Initial Steps • Computer health alert; standard language • Mail/email/alert now to parent information • Information means informational letter with Anaphylaxis Action Plan

7. Communication with parent • Increasingly calling “new” parents in spring before parent returns Anaphylaxis Plan • 504 information

8. Section 504 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.

9. So that means….? • Schools can’t discriminate against students with disabilities • Schools must provide educational services to students with disabilities • Eligibility is determined if condition “substantially” limits a “major life activity” • If eligible, then an accommodation plan is developed so that student can access educational services

10. 504 Accommodation Plans • Court interpretations have changed over time thus how & when schools implement have changed • Plans are individualized • Team determines accommodations • Team includes parents and could include child

11. 504 Accommodation Plans • Goal: accommodate so disabled student has access to same level of education as non-disabled peers • Accommodation no longer appropriate when substantially or materially alters the program or constitutes unreasonable burden on district or child

12. 504 summary • The required method to individualize accommodations to particular student needs • Catching up quickly!

13. Parental Obligations • Annually provide completed Anaphylaxis Plan • Annually provide non-expired medication • Consent to 504 “evaluation” to start process • Participate in 504 team and in development of accommodations • Help school help student 

14. Information Dissemination • Minimum without 504 • Health alert PK-12 • PK-5 classroom teacher; copy of Ana Plan • Pk-5 Specials email or copy • Ana Plan kept in school office/health office • If food allergic, notify Food Services

15. Training • Minimum without 504 • Encourage teachers to obtain via video or arrange with school nurse • Encourage principals to invite nurse to annual staff meeting • Info on website • First aid staff at school/field trips

16. What’s in process now? • Stock epinephrine • Administrator training • Sub training for 2014-2015 • Safe table guidelines