Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to Enact New Policies on Allergies, Diabetes, and Asthma Management
CPS says an estimated 4,000 students have diagnosed allergies. The district's new policy, on the agenda to be approved by the Board of Education, allows a nurse to use the EpiPen on any student believed to be having a life-threatening reaction, even if the child has not been diagnosed with an allergy.
Students will also be allowed to carry and self-administer their own Epi-pens with the written approval of a parent or guardian.
Meanwhile, the district also has developed new asthma and diabetes management policies, which allow students to carry and self-administer asthma inhalers, check glucose levels or self-inject insulin, provided they have written authorization from parents and a valid prescription. Previously, a doctor's consent was required, said CPS spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus.
Not all CPS schools have a nurse, so the district policies provide for staff to be trained on how to recognize symptoms in emergency situations. With diabetes cases, under state law every student will get a delegated aide trained to assist them. Currently, CPS has 659 students with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
More than 19,000 CPS students suffer from asthma. The district's new policy will require designated staff to complete in-service training once every two years on the management and prevention of asthma symptoms as well as emergency response.
District officials say, should the asthma policy be approved Wednesday, CPS will become the first large school district in the country with a standalone policy for students suffering from asthma. The policy will require parents to notify schools upon a child being diagnosed with asthma, informing the district of past asthma episodes, triggers and warning signs.
Students will also be allowed to carry and self-administer their own Epi-pens with the written approval of a parent or guardian.
Meanwhile, the district also has developed new asthma and diabetes management policies, which allow students to carry and self-administer asthma inhalers, check glucose levels or self-inject insulin, provided they have written authorization from parents and a valid prescription. Previously, a doctor's consent was required, said CPS spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus.
Not all CPS schools have a nurse, so the district policies provide for staff to be trained on how to recognize symptoms in emergency situations. With diabetes cases, under state law every student will get a delegated aide trained to assist them. Currently, CPS has 659 students with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
More than 19,000 CPS students suffer from asthma. The district's new policy will require designated staff to complete in-service training once every two years on the management and prevention of asthma symptoms as well as emergency response.
District officials say, should the asthma policy be approved Wednesday, CPS will become the first large school district in the country with a standalone policy for students suffering from asthma. The policy will require parents to notify schools upon a child being diagnosed with asthma, informing the district of past asthma episodes, triggers and warning signs.