Diabetic Coverage at all activities

NYschoolnurse, BSN · Mar 22, 2018

But what about equal access for all students?

Rubor · Mar 22, 2018

Be careful about what is put in those 504's your district is putting themselves in a position where they have to follow accommodations that might not be reasonable or easy to meet. I would talk to your district lawyers about this as well.

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2018

But.. it's always the Disability Act that gets tossed around.... THEY HAVE THE RIGHT... because the families become so difficult, teachers are not willing to deal with it.

Exactly this. This is what we are currently dealing with in my district. :banghead:

Rubor · Mar 22, 2018

.....

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2018

Be careful about what is put in those 504's your district is putting themselves in a position where they have to follow accommodations that might not be reasonable or easy to meet. I would talk to your district lawyers about this as well.

Our district lawyer was involved in this process as well as our Director of SpEd. This language was added against the advice of the nurses.

SugarHigh · Mar 22, 2018

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201301-504.pdf

See page 10...

We started dealing with this in the 2016-2017 school year for diabetes and more recently for a student who receives tube feedings.

The language in their IEP/504s has always stated "school nurse or qualified person," so an RN is not required to be there.

All coaches are now fully trained on diabetes care when they do their annual concussion and first aid trainings. That way our T1D students can try out for any team and we know the adult there is trained in their care.

One of our assistants in the special needs room took on the job as the "health aid" for the tube feedings. She stays after with the student during his club meetings each week, and makes a little extra money since she is an hourly employee.

When this first came up in our district, the higher ups decided that we didn't have the resources to offer nursing services after school hours. No other district around us does. It turns out the districts around us just don't have parents that know their child is entitled to it. It is outlined in IDEA, so if your school is publicly funded, regardless of the state you are in, you are required to offer these services if it is in the IEP because health services is a "related service."

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Mar 22, 2018

In our state we have to provide coverage for all school sponsored activities. One of my T1D's is in two clubs. In my district we delegate glucagon, but not insulin. So if there is a snack, it is done at the beginning of the club (before I leave at my regular time) so I can give the insulin. I check her glucose prior to the other club in which there isn't a snack. Staff is well versed on her care and what to do if she drops. I've made sure there is a medication trained staff member sponsoring the clubs.

If there is a dance, food is done right at dismissal, so I am here for insulin. As far as things like basketball/football games, I am elem. so we don't have those, but our nurses don't go for any of the other schools.

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Mar 22, 2018

I am just astounded reading these posts. This is where we are???? It is sad. My 2 cents, 504 committees have to meet and agree on an accommodation plan. Why are these unreasonable expectations being placed into the 504? Just because the parents ask for it? That is not good enough answer for me!!

Of course, unlicensed people don't want to be a part of this and I really don't blame them. However, my contract hours state 8:00-4:00. At my middle school, EVERY SINGLE DAY activities are going on until 5:00-9:00pm. If somebody expects a nurse after 4:00PM, they would have to pay me for those extra hours, hire somebody else, or see my *** quit and go work at wal-mart (which I am considering anyway - LOL).

And that slippery slope many have mentioned...... 1st diabetics, then asthma kids, then severe allergies, then eventually - we need a nurse for any hangnail that may occur.

Shaking my head!!

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Mar 22, 2018

I am just astounded reading these posts. This is where we are???? It is sad. My 2 cents, 504 committees have to meet and agree on an accommodation plan. Why are these unreasonable expectations being placed into the 504? Just because the parents ask for it? That is not good enough answer for me!!
Of course, unlicensed people don't want to be a part of this and I really don't blame them. However, my contract hours state 8:00-4:00. At my middle school, EVERY SINGLE DAY activities are going on until 5:00-9:00pm. If somebody expects a nurse after 4:00PM, they would have to pay me for those extra hours, hire somebody else, or see my *** quit and go work at wal-mart (which I am considering anyway - LOL).
And that slippery slope many have mentioned...... 1st diabetics, then asthma kids, then severe allergies, then eventually - we need a nurse for any hangnail that may occur.
Shaking my head!!

Agree, once they are middle/high school they should be independent enough (unless newly dx'd) to handle it themselves with a few exceptions.

palli · Mar 22, 2018

My district understand that our nurses all have contracts and we work until 3:35 and I have a second job, so I am unable to work the after school activities, dances,, etc..UNLESS of course they want to pay me a per diem rate, then I will be available. My district understands this and they will offer it to the nurses first. if they cannot find a nurse for said snowflake they let the parents know and the parent MUST be available to attend the event. Its that simple.

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2018

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201301-504.pdf
See page 10...
We started dealing with this in the 2016-2017 school year for diabetes and more recently for a student who receives tube feedings.
The language in their IEP/504s has always stated "school nurse or qualified person," so an RN is not required to be there.
All coaches are now fully trained on diabetes care when they do their annual concussion and first aid trainings. That way our T1D students can try out for any team and we know the adult there is trained in their care.
One of our assistants in the special needs room took on the job as the "health aid" for the tube feedings. She stays after with the student during his club meetings each week, and makes a little extra money since she is an hourly employee.
When this first came up in our district, the higher ups decided that we didn't have the resources to offer nursing services after school hours. No other district around us does. It turns out the districts around us just don't have parents that know their child is entitled to it. It is outlined in IDEA, so if your school is publicly funded, regardless of the state you are in, you are required to offer these services if it is in the IEP because health services is a "related service."

Thank you! I printed off and read the document. It seems very clear that we are obligated to provide for these students so at this point it is up to the district to figure out how they are going to provide it.

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2018

My district understand that our nurses all have contracts and we work until 3:35 and I have a second job, so I am unable to work the after school activities, dances,, etc..UNLESS of course they want to pay me a per diem rate, then I will be available. My district understands this and they will offer it to the nurses first. if they cannot find a nurse for said snowflake they let the parents know and the parent MUST be available to attend the event. Its that simple.

My understanding was that you CAN'T make the parents be the ones that attend. Ugh. It all feels so complicated.