Greenwood Community School Corporation
Bylaws & Policies
 

5335 - CARE OF STUDENTS WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS

Students with chronic health conditions will be provided with a free appropriate public education. If their impairment does not require specially designed instruction for them to benefit educationally, they may be eligible for accommodations/modifications/interventions of the regular classroom, curriculum, or activity (i.e. the school setting) so that they have the same access to an education as students without disabilities. Such accommodations/modifications/interventions may be provided pursuant to a Section 504 Plan (Form 2260.01 F13). All information regarding student identification, health care management, and emergency care shall be safeguarded as personally identifiable information in accordance with Policy 8330 and Policy 8350.

The coordinated school health practices for management of a chronic health condition shall provide for:

 A.coordination of health care management activities by school staff;

 B.identification of individuals with chronic health conditions;

 C.development of individual health care action plans;

 D.communication among school staff who interact with children with chronic health conditions;

 E.awareness and training of school staff regarding Corporation policy on acute and routine management of chronic health conditions, information on signs and treatment of chronic health conditions, medication and administration, and emergency protocols for dealing with reactions in "unusual" situations such as field trips.

School health practices shall provide students with chronic health conditions the opportunity for:

 A.full participation in physical activities when students are well;

 B.modified activities as indicated by the student's health care action plan, 504 plan, or Individualized Education Plan (IEP);

 C.access to preventative medications before activity (as prescribed by their medical providers) and immediate access to emergency medications during activity;

 D.communication regarding student health status between parents, physicians, teachers (particularly physical education teachers), and coaches.

Healthcare management activities may include:

 A.procedures to obtain, maintain, and utilize written health care action plans, signed by the child's parents and physician, for each student with a chronic health condition;

 B.a standard emergency protocol in place for students experiencing a distress reaction if they do not have a written health care action plan on site;

 C.established communication strategies for students to use to tell an adult they may be having a health-related problem;

 D.procedures for students to have immediate access to medications in accordance with Policy 5330 and AG 5330 that allow students to self-care and self-administer medications, inhalers, and Epi-pens, as prescribed by a medical professional and approved by parents/guardians;

 E.prevention strategies to avoid causal elements;

 F.case management for students with frequent school absences, school health office visits, emergency department visits, or hospitalizations due to chronic health conditions;

 G.otherwise attending to the management and care of the student's chronic health condition in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, or at any school related activity or event.

Staff will be trained about chronic health conditions and their control at a minimum annually in each school in which there is a student with a chronic health condition. This training shall include:

 A.education about chronic health conditions;

 B.the management procedures that the student and/or school personnel will be responsible for during the school day;

 C.the early warning signs of chronic health conditions;

 D.what to do in case of a distress reaction;

 E.special planning needed for school functions such as parties, field trips, before and after-school activities, particularly those involving physical activity or exercise;

 F.reporting procedures for changes in the student's physical or emotional behavior and condition;

 G.access to appropriate consulting health professionals to address questions about chronic health conditions.

Designated staff who have responsibility for specialized services such as giving inhaler treatments or injections, or conducting glucose and/or ketone tests shall be provided training specific to the procedures, at least annually, by a licensed health professional.

The school nurse shall maintain a copy of the training program and the records of training completed by school employees.

Communication by school personnel with the student's parents/guardians and healthcare providers is to begin as soon as the student with a chronic health condition is identified. In the absence of school nursing services, the principal will contact the parents/guardians to discuss the need for written physician's instructions and a health care action plan for the student with a chronic health condition to be completed and provided to the school as soon as possible. The plan shall clearly state all accommodations and emergency care procedures for the student with a chronic health condition during school hours or at a school-related event or activity. Healthcare action plans shall be accessible to designated staff in case of a distress reaction, or suspected onset of medical distress.

Except in an emergency, the school shall allow the student to attend to the management and care of his/her chronic health condition, as provided in the individualized healthcare action plan.

The school shall provide an information sheet to the individual who is responsible for providing transportation for or supervising a student with a chronic health condition during an off-campus school related activity that:

 A.identifies the student with a chronic health condition;

 B.identifies potential emergencies that may occur as a result of the chronic health conditions and appropriate responses to an emergency;

 C.provides the telephone number of a contact in case an emergency occurs.