5415: Students with Food Allergies

District Policy 5415

STUDENTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

1.0       Introduction. The District recognizes that many students are being diagnosed with potentially life-threatening food allergies.  To address this issue and meet state law requirements concerning the management of food allergies and anaphylaxis among students, the District sets forth the following requirements.

2.0       Development of Health Care Plan. The Licensed School Nurse, or a school administrator in consultation with the Licensed School Nurse, shall develop and implement a health care plan (plan) for each student with a diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening food allergy.  The plan shall address communication between the school and emergency medical services, including instructions for emergency medical responders.  The plan shall also include reasonable accommodations to reduce the student’s exposure to agents that may cause anaphylaxis within the school environment.

            If a student qualifies as a student with a disability in accordance with state or federal law, the student’s Section 504 plan, Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and/or other plan developed in accordance with applicable law shall meet this requirement.

3.0       Access to Emergency Medications. Emergency medications for treatment of the student’s food allergies or anaphylaxis shall be kept in a secure location accessible to designated school staff.

            Whenever possible, and in a timely fashion, the student’s parent/legal guardian shall supply the school with the medication needed for treatment of the student’s food allergies or anaphylaxis, unless the student is authorized to self-carry such medication in accordance with District Policy 5420.

4.0       Staff Training. The principal or designee, in consultation with the Licensed School Nurse, shall determine the appropriate recipients of emergency anaphylaxis treatment training, which shall include those staff directly involved with a student who has a known food allergy during the school day.  At a minimum, the training shall prepare staff to have a basic understanding of food allergies and the importance of reasonable avoidance of agents that may cause anaphylaxis, the ability to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis, and the ability to respond appropriately when a student suffers an anaphylactic reaction.  The training shall also include instruction in the administration of self-injectable epinephrine.

5.0       Annual Notice. Prior to the beginning of each school year, the District shall provide notice of this policy to the parent/legal guardian of each student enrolled in a district school.  The notice shall include the standard allergy and anaphylaxis form developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that allows the parent or legal guardian of a student with a known food allergy to provide relevant information about the student to school administration.

LEGAL REFERENCES:
20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.
29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.
42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.
C.R.S. 22-2-135
C.R.S. 22-32-139
C.R.S. 25-1.5-109
1 CCR 301-68

CROSS REFERENCES:
Code: 5420
Code: 3700

Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Most Recent Adoption: April 23, 2010