I was trying to not bring it up, but I’m already doing my back-to-school research right now! My epinephrine carrier and holder round-up is coming out later this week! Special note: if you have some favorites, please drop me an email or add a comment below so I can include your suggestion. Nevertheless, one task I’m focusing on is supporting my local school district in receiving the resources and training their school nurses might need now that SB453 Epinephrine in Nevada Schools is a reality. All Nevada public schools will be required to maintain epinephrine and private schools will be authorized to do so. To implement this law, school nurses must first be educated on the management and emergency response of life threatening allergies and anaphylaxis. Once they are up-to-date, they will reach out to teach and train all relevant teachers and staff on how to manage and respond to students with life threatening allergies and anaphylaxis. This is no small task and as a parent of two food allergic parents, I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of our school nurses.
No need to re-invent the wheel: good data is out there!
In my quest for training information I realized that my readers might be interested in this one fabulous resource, for their own schools to consider (if they already don’t have protocol in place), from the National Association of School Nurses: Epinephrine Resource School Nurse Program. You might consider taking a few moments to check out this interesting website that is incredibly rich with information. This program provides training and access to nurse educators in each state. In addition the website offers a video series for school nurses addressing specific food allergy and anaphylaxis management topics. This resource seemed far too important to not share. Your school nurse can actually find templates for needed forms, such as, “welcome back school letter-child with food allergies” and so much more! It is key to share this data as early as possible with your schools since they are most likely getting ready to prepare for the upcoming school year.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Thank you Caroline for this helpful link.
On a personal level, I am always thrilled to come across info such as this to prepare for our daughter, Julia’s new school (a boarding school about 2.5 hours away from home). For us, this feels similar to preparing for food allergies in college, yet it’s for young teen’s level. Fearful? Yes, but thankful that we are not alone or “reinventing the wheel” when great resources are readily available.
Although Julia is entering 9th grade and is extremely well versed with safety protocols and emergency procedures, food allergy management is brand new to the school. Thankfully, they are open minded and welcoming of information…more than half the battle. And as you mentioned, now is the time to get our plans in place, before the rush of a new school year takes away the attention that is needed to make her environment safe.
Other resources that we’ve found helpful in our own planning and that might be useful to others are: http://www.allergyhome.com‘s training video, Allergic Living’s “6 that Save Lives” poster for the dorms, dining halls and hallways (download and send out to print), and 504 plans (that can be customized depending on child’s age or need from a variety of online Food Allergy Management Plans from recommended districts). There is also an upcoming webinar on July 30th via Kids with Food Allergies titled, “Partnering with your school nurse”.
The new Principal and school Nurse have already sourced new food substitutes for the dining hall (thank you WowButter, I.M. Soybutter! and Amazon.com for the ability to quickly filter and source safe products for the dining hall on auto-ship). They have made training in recognizing signs and administering epinephrine mandatory for ALL staff.
While we are still working on finishing up our plans, we are grateful to all those ahead of us that have written plans, developed products and fought to make our children’s lives at school safe and inclusive.
Dana,
Wow—sounds like your district is great! I somehow missed that webinar—thanks for the tip. I think I need to post tomorrow about the two great resources you just shared!
I am a huge fan of Kids with Food Allergies and their webinars are usually full of great information. I believe AllergyHome too has been updating their website over this last year, so I need to pay them a visit.
Thank you for sharing such important information.
My son will be a high school sophmore. High school does feel like college in many ways since our parental control over food allergies drops dramatically. Younger students will basically follow the rules, many teens live in a space of trying to push the limits of rules. But…I also found, once they are educated they are very strong in following the rules too!
thanks for sharing!
Dana,
I can’t find that webinar link for KFA Partnering with Your school Nurse link. Can you forward it?
Your post got me excited! And as you know, I’m thrilled that CCSD is proactive and already getting the ball rolling on this important issue by training the school district. I love how they wanted to train now for the summer school program. My dear friend, Nurse DeAnn Baker registered for the Epinephrine Resource School Nurse Program and led a training presentation on signs/symptoms of anaphylaxis and administration of epi & Auvi-Q with Principal Naegle last month. They also led a presentation to all school nurses in June. It’s amazing, can you believe it? The new leadership (Sally Jost & Principal Naegle) have made such a difference in protecting these students in CCSD!! I’m thrilled CCSD reached out to Washoe county to partner in creating policies and guidelines when it comes to stock epi & administration in NV schools. You sure have made a difference in this silver state! We can’t stop talking about you.
Good morning Dana,
Thank you for the kind words! You really are inspiring. It is impressive regarding what is taking place down in Las Vegas. Just a few years ago, no one even talked about anaphylaxis and now they are blazing trails!
Looking forward to the round-up! I seriously can’t believe that school starts here in just over 3 weeks! Insane – I should probably start researching, too.
Alisa,
No, don’t say it-now is sounds earlier-just three weeks. I’m not mentally ready. Good bye going to bed late!
I am also looking forward to the round up as well. So glad you are on top if it all for us and sharing!
Nutrimom, I’m just not ready for school to start! Our school district is moving to a new calendar, so we will be starting school a few weeks earlier!