District #61 Policy

The Care of the Student with Diabetes 

Introduction

The goal of District 61 is to provide a safe environment for all children, including those with life-threatening diabetes.  Although the risk to students with this disease in the schools cannot be completely eliminated, it can be greatly reduced.  This plan of support addresses the identification of individual needs, staff awareness, necessary curricular and procedural modification, and emergency plans.  Protecting students with diabetes is the shared responsibility of families, schools, and the community.  

The purpose of this manual is to reduce unintended reactions by outlining the problem, providing education on management of diabetic procedures, and outlining the responsibilities for the student, families, and the school system.  District 61 will continue to monitor and evaluate this issue to ensure the proper implementation of these guidelines across our jurisdiction.

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that impairs the body’s ability to use food for energy.  It is the sixth-leading cause of death by disease in the United States.  Long term complications include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputation of the foot or leg.  Although there is no cure, the disease can be managed and complications delayed or prevented. 

General Information about Diabetes

Diabetes must be managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  For students with type 1 diabetes, and for some with type 2 diabetes, that means careful monitoring of their blood glucose (sugar) levels throughout the day and administering multiple doses of insulin therapy, now prescribed for most young people with diabetes. As a result, the school health team, which includes the school nurse, teachers, office personnel, and other staff members, plays an important role in helping students manage their diabetes.

Effective diabetes management is crucial

• For the immediate safety of students with diabetes
• For the long-term health of students with diabetes
• To ensure that students with diabetes are ready to learn and to participate in school activities
• To minimize the possibility that diabetes-related emergencies will disrupt classroom activities

The purpose of the policy is to educate school personnel about diabetes and to share a set of practices that enable schools to ensure a safe learning environment for students with diabetes, particularly the student who uses insulin to control the disease (all students with type 1 and some with type 2 diabetes).   

Guidelines for School Administration

All school staff members who have responsibility for a student with diabetes should receive education that provides a basic understanding of the disease.

Education for school employees and delegated care aides

• In schools that have a student with diabetes, all school employees shall receive education in the basics of diabetes care, how to identify when a student with diabetes needs immediate or emergency medical attention, and whom to contact in the case of an emergency during a regular in-service education as provided for by Section 10-22.39 of the School Code.
• Initial training for delegated care aides shall be provided by a licensed healthcare provider with expertise in diabetes or a certified diabetic educator and individualized by a student’s parent or guardian.Training myst be consistent with the guidelines provided by the U.S.. Department of health and Human Services in the guide for school personnel entitled “Helping the student with Diabetes Succeed”.  The training shall be updated when the diabetes care plan is changed and at least annually.

Self-management.  Provided that the student is authorized according to his or her diabetes care plan, a student shall be permitted to do the following:

1. Check blood glucose when and wherever needed.
2. Administer insulin with the insulin delivery system used by the student.
3. Treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and otherwise attend to the care and management of his or her diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds and at any school-related activity or event in accordance with the diabetes care plan.
4. Possess on his or her person, at all times, the supplies and equipment necessary to monitor and treat diabetes, including, but not limited to, glucometers, lancets, test strips, insulin, syringes, insulin pens and needle tips, insulin pumps, infusion sets, alcohol swabs, a glucagon injection kit, glucose tablets, and food and drink, in accordance with the diabetes care plan

Protections against retaliation.  A school employee shall not be subject to any penalty, sanction, reprimand, discharge, demotion, denial of a promotion, withdrawal of benefits, or other disciplinary action for choosing not to agree to serve as a delegated care aide.

Civil immunity.

• A school or a school employee is not liable for civil or other damages as a result of conduct, other than willful or wanton misconduct, related to the care of a student with diabetes.
• A school employee shall not be subject to any disciplinary proceeding resulting from an action taken in compliance with this Act (HB6065), unless the action constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

Actions for the School District Administrator

• Provide leadership in developing district policy related to all aspects of diabetes management at school that is consistent with the standards of care recommended for children with diabetes, including delegation of responsibilities, required staff training, medication administration policy, and blood glucose monitoring. Obtain input from local or regional experts.
• and Support implementation of district policy. Support school district health professionals and other school administrators, regarding development, coordination, and implementation of diabetes management training; ongoing quality control and improvement of these training programs; and development implementation of a program to monitor the performance of those who receive training.
• Arrange for training of school personnel.
• Allocate sufficient resources to manage students with diabetes.
• Monitor schools attended by students with diabetes.
• Meet with members of the school health team as needed.Address issues of concern about the provision of diabetes care by the school district, as appropriate.
• Respect the student’s confidentiality and right to privacy.
• Learn about diabetes.
• Understand and implement the federal and state laws that may apply to students with diabetes, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Actions for the Principal, School Administrator, or Designee

• The principal shall facilitate compliance with the provisions of a diabetic care plan.
• Participate in developing and implementing school policy related to diabetes management at school and implement school district policy.
• Allocate sufficient resources to manage students with diabetes.
• Develop and implement a system to inform school health services of the pending enrollment of a student with diabetes.
• Promote a supportive learning environment for students with diabetes.Treat these students the same as other students except to respond to medical needs.
• Meet annually with the school health team.Arrange and attend a meeting of the school health team members (student, family, school nurse, 504/IEP coordinator, teacher(s), and other staff members who have responsibility for the student) before the school year starts, or when the child is newly diagnosed, to discuss medical accommodations and educational aids and related services the student needs.
• Identify all staff members who have responsibility for the student with diabetes.
• Alert all school-related staff members who teach or supervise a student with diabetes.Ensure that they, including the bus driver, are familiar with the accommodations and emergency procedures contained in the student’s Diabetes Medical Management Plan, 504 Plan, IEP, or other education plan.
• Alert all substitute personnel.Ensure that they are aware of the needs and emergency procedures for students with diabetes.
• Work with the school health team to implement the student’s written plans, including the Diabetes Medical Management Plan, and monitor compliance.

Actions for school employees and delegated care aides

• In schools that have a student with diabetes, all school employees shall receive education in the basics of diabetes care, how to identify when a student with diabetes needs immediate or emergency medical attention, and whom to contact in the case of an emergency 
  
  
  

Actions for the Parents or Guardian

• Inform the school principal that your child has diabetes.
• Provide accurate and current emergency contact information.
• Provide the signed Diabetes Health Care Plan.
• Attend and participate in the initial and annual meetings of the school health team.
• Provide specific information about your child’s diabetes.
• Permit sharing of medical information.
• Inform school staff of any changes in the student’s health status.
• Provide all supplies and equipment necessary for implementing your child’s Diabetic Health Care Plan, 504 Plan, IEP, or other education plan.
• Provide and maintain all supplies and equipment necessary to accommodate the student’s long-term needs (72 hours) in case of an emergency.
• Inform appropriate school staff (principal, teachers, coaches, and others) when the student plans to participate in school sponsored activities that take place before or after school so that health care coverage can be coordinated to ensure the health and safety of the student with diabetes.
• Understand DPS 61 policy on diabetes.

Actions for the Student with Diabetes

• Participate in the school meeting as appropriate for age and understanding.
• Alert school staff members if you need help.
• Take charge of your diabetes care at school if your written school plans allow you to. This may include:
• Checking and writing down blood glucose levels.
• Figuring out the right insulin doses.
• Giving yourself insulin.
• Throwing away needles, lancets, and other supplies you have used in the right place.
• Eating meals and snacks as planned.
• Treating low blood sugar.
• Carrying diabetes equipment and supplies with you at all times.

Resources

1. “Helping the student with Diabetes Succeed” A guide for School Personnel, HHS, NIH, CDC
2. Care of Students with Diabetes Act HB 606-S enacted 12/1/2010