[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Asthma T-Hero Section” module_class=”hero tert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Tertiary_Asthma.jpg” background_position=”top_right” custom_padding=”1%||1%||true|false” global_module=”2247″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Nav Parent Title” module_class=”tert-parent” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Breadcrumbs” module_class=”bcrumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”font-size:16px;||color: #fff;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Page Title” module_class=”tert-content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_text_color=”#008c99″ title_font_size=”39px” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”center_left” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=” Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
If your child has asthma or allergies to food, latex, or stinging insects, you may have concerns about what happens during the school day when they are in the care of other people. It\u2019s helpful to keep in mind that many schools already have policies in place to manage asthma and\/or allergies. You need to partner with the school to set up a school health care plan for your child.1<\/sup> It is an important part of your child\u2019s asthma or allergy management plan to keep them healthy through the school year.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/aafa-school-nurse-and-student.png” title_text=”aafa-school-nurse-and-student” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A school health care plan is a written set of documents that outlines your child\u2019s medical condition and needs. The plan usually lists information about your child\u2019s asthma or allergies, how they should be managed, and what to do in an emergency. It may also include school staff responsibilities, training, and services needed to help keep your child safe. A school health care plan often includes several forms and documents.<\/p>\n Three common types of school care plans are:<\/p>\n Emergency Care Plans (ECP)<\/strong><\/p>\n An ECP is the medical plan your child\u2019s doctor writes for the school nurse to follow. ECPs usually use terms people with a non-medical background can also understand and follow.<\/p>\n Your child\u2019s ECP should have:<\/p>\n The ECP should include your child\u2019s Asthma Action Plan<\/a> or Anaphylaxis Action Plan<\/a>. An ECP is usually part of an IHCP or 504 plan and must be signed by your child\u2019s doctor.1<\/sup><\/p>\n Individual Health Care Plans (IHCP or IHP)<\/strong><\/p>\n An IHCP (sometimes called an IHP) is a nursing care plan that has both administrative and clinical purposes. It will probably have an ECP for managing and treating asthma symptoms or an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n The school nurse will work with you, your child, and their doctor(s) to write the IHCP.1<\/sup><\/p>\n An IHCP outlines what the school will do to create and maintain a safe school environment for your child. For example, an IHCP will detail what school staff will do to reduce the risk of trigger or allergen exposure, recognize asthma symptoms or an allergic reaction, and give the appropriate treatment. An IHCP is not a legally binding document.<\/p>\n 504 Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n A 504 plan, sometimes called a \u201cSection 504 plan,\u201d is a legally binding plan between a school and a student. A 504 plan addresses what the school will do to create and maintain a safe school environment for your child.<\/p>\n The 504 plan is from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is a federal law that states schools that get federal funding cannot exclude or discriminate against a student with a disability because of their disability.4<\/sup><\/p>\n A disability under Section 504 is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADA)<\/a> as a \u201cphysical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.\u201d A \u201cmajor life activity\u201d can include activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, and eating.5<\/sup><\/p>\n The purpose of a 504 plan is basically the same as an IHCP. But a 504 plan is legally enforceable and offers safeguards a traditional IHCP doesn\u2019t. With a 504 plan, a school division must follow certain procedures. Those procedures include notifying parents, an opportunity to review relevant records, an impartial due process hearing (with legal counsel, if desired), and procedures review. An IHCP can be integrated into either a 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP) to make the IHCP\u2019s terms enforceable.<\/p>\n Which plan is best for your child?<\/strong> That depends.<\/p>\n Here are some things to consider as you decide:<\/p>\n If the school already has a solid plan in place for managing asthma and allergies, your child may not need a 504 plan. However, if your child is eligible for a 504 plan, you can work with the school division to develop a 504 plan. The terms of a 504 plan are legally enforceable. Your child may not be eligible for a 504 plan if their condition is not considered to be a disability or there are no records showing they have a disability.4<\/sup> You as the parent can work in partnership with school personnel and your child\u2019s doctor as appropriate to develop the contents of your child’s IHCP or 504 plan based upon their unique health and safety needs while at school.<\/p>\n Your child\u2019s school may already have a process in place for creating care plans.<\/p>\n Start by contacting the school to ask who the point of contact is for creating a school health care plan for your child. Then request a meeting with the school representative to talk about your child\u2019s needs and to ask questions about the school\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n Use a positive tone when approaching the school. You are part of the team that will work together to keep your child healthy and safe at school. Communicate often, calmly, and confidently.<\/p>\n Make contact well before the school year starts \u2013 such as in the spring before. The first few days of school are very busy for staff. You\u2019ll want to have everything in place before the first day of school.<\/p>\n Here are some questions you may want to ask at your meeting:<\/p>\n If you feel your child needs a 504 plan, also contact the school district\u2019s Section 504 coordinator. Ask to have your child evaluated for a 504 plan.<\/p>\n Your child\u2019s school health care plan may include:<\/p>\n A written school health care plan helps you, your child, and the school staff understand everyone\u2019s roles in ensuring your child\u2019s safety and care while at school. It can reduce miscommunication, as well.<\/p>\n Public or private schools that get funds from the federal government have to follow Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Public schools must provide a \u201cfree and appropriate education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment under both Section 504 and the IDEA.\u201d6<\/sup><\/p>\n The ADA protects against disability discrimination and applies to both public schools and non-religious private schools. regardless of whether they receive any federal funding.6<\/sup> Public and private schools are considered public accommodations under the ADA, and therefore have to take necessary steps to make sure a child is not excluded, denied services, or treated differently due to their disability (unless they can demonstrate that taking such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of their facility or result in undue burden).7<\/sup> As a recent agreement with the Department of Justice indicated, these obligations can include the requirements to administer emergency medicine such as epinephrine devices.<\/p>\n If a public school is not willing to accommodate your child, contact your school district\u2019s superintendent or Section 504 coordinator in writing. If you continue to be unhappy with the plan as implemented by the school district, you can contact the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR)<\/a> or file a suit in a federal court.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Remember to stay positive and focus on the goal: to ensure your child is healthy and included at school.<\/p>\n Work with the school on the best way to accommodate your child and their health needs.<\/p>\n School planning is a process. The first year involves a little extra effort because you are starting from scratch. Once you have a plan, you will need to review and update it before each school year or sooner if your child\u2019s conditions change. You may also have to repeat this entire process if your child changes schools and moves on to middle school and high school. Make this part of your yearly prep for the school year so your child can have a safe environment that allows them to focus on learning and not their asthma or allergies.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Reviewed August 2024 by Adrianna Del Principe, Esquire<\/small>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”References” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” global_module=”8665″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]Types of School Health Care Plans<\/h3>\n
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How to Choose a School Health Care Plan<\/h3>\n
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How to Create a School Health Care Plan for Asthma or Allergies<\/h3>\n
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What to Do If the School Will Not Work with You<\/h3>\n
Stay Positive and Proactive<\/h3>\n
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