Procedure for 3415 Accommodating Students With Diabetes
Accommodating Students With Diabetes
Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP)
All Students known to have diabetes must have an IHCP in place at school. The plan must be distributed to appropriate staff, and must include the following information:
A. Provisions for the storage of medical equipment and medication provided by the parent;
B. Provisions for the student to perform tests and treatments anywhere on school grounds including in the classroom and at school-sponsored events, to have easy access to necessary supplies and equipment, and to carry necessary supplies and equipment on his or her person;
C. A description of the student’s school day schedule for the timing of meals, snacks, blood sugar testing, insulin injections, and related activities;
D. An individualized emergency care plan that plans for both a health emergency for the student and a school emergency such as an earthquake;
E. Legal documents allowing a parent-designated adult to provide care, if the parent has designated such a person.
F. Any parent requests and instructions, as well as orders from licensed health professionals.
If the student needs medications/treatments while at school, form Authorization for Administration of Medication at School must be completed for each medication/treatment.
The IHCP must be updated annually, or more frequently if necessary.
Food and Drink
Students with diabetes must be allowed to eat or drink whenever and wherever necessary, including on the bus or in other areas where food and drink are generally prohibited. Students with diabetes must have unrestricted access to water and bathroom use. Food or water shall never be withheld as a disciplinary action or because of nonpayment of fees.
Parent-Designated Adult (PDA)
Parents of students with diabetes may designate an adult to provide care for their student with diabetes. A PDA is a volunteer, who may be a school district employee, who receives additional training from a health care professional or expert in diabetic care selected by the parents, and who provides care for the student consistent with the student’s IHCP.
To be eligible to be a PDA, a school employee who is not a licensed nurse must file a voluntarily written letter of intent with the school nurse. The letter must be dated, and shall be valid for not longer than one year. An employee who is not a licensed nurse and who wants to act as a PDA must file a valid letter of intent each year. No employee who refuses to file such a letter shall be subject to reprisal or disciplinary action. No employee who refuses to file such a letter shall be subject to reprisal or disciplinary action. No employee may be coerced into filing such a letter.
A non-employee may become a PDA by filing a letter of intent with the school nurse and by completing the non-school employee training as outlined below.
A PDA must receive training as indicated below and meet school district requirements for volunteers.
The certificated school nurse is not responsible for the supervision of the PDA for those procedures that are authorized by the parents.
Training – School Employees
Inservice Training – The ESA Certificated School Nurse shall train school employees, yearly, on general diabetes information. The training will include symptoms, treatment, and monitoring of student with diabetes and any additional observation that may be needed in different situations that may arise during the school day and during school sponsored events and is consistent with the student’s IHCP.
Training – PDAs
PDAs who are not school employees must show evidence of comparable inservice training as outlined above. Additionally, all PDAs must receive training from a health care professional or expert in diabetic care selected by the parents. This additional training is required to allow the PDA to provide the additional care the parents have authorized the PDA to provide.
Indemnity
State law provides that a school district, school district employee, agent, or PDA who, acting in good faith and in substantial compliance with the student’s IHCP and the instructions of the student’s licensed health care professional, provides assistance or services under RCW 28A.210.330 shall not be liable in any criminal action or for civil damages in his or her individual or marital or governmental or corporate or other capacities as a result of the services provided under this law.
Legal Reference:
- RCW 28A.210.330-.350
Adoption Date: 05.21.03
Stanwood-Camano School District