Accommodating Students with Diabetes (Policy)

POLICY: 

The school nurse shall:

1. Consult and coordinate with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and healthcare providers of students with diabetes; and
2. Train and supervise appropriate staff in the care of students with diabetes.

WSSB will develop and follow an Individual Health Plan (IHP) for each student with diabetes.  Each IHP will include an Emergency Care Plan (ECP).  The health plans will be updated annually, and more frequently as needed.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of students with diabetes may designate an adult to provide care for their student consistent with the student’s IHP.  At the parent/guardian’s request, WSSB employees may volunteer to be a Parent-Designated Adult (PDA), but they will not be required to participate.

PDA’s who are WSSB employees will file a voluntary, written, current, and unexpired letter of intent stating their willingness to be a PDA annually.  PDA’s who are WSSB employees are required to receive training in caring for students with diabetes from a certified diabetes educator.

Parents are responsible for the training of PDA’s who are not WSSB employees.

PDA’s who are not WSSB employees are required to show evidence of comparable training and meet WSSB requirements for volunteers. PDA’s will receive additional training from a parent selected healthcare profession or expert in diabetic care to provide the care requested by the parent. 

The school nurses are not responsible for the supervision or procedures authorized by the parents and carried out by the PDA.

In addition to adhering to the requirements of each IHP, for the general care of students with diabetes, WSSB will:

1. Acquire necessary parent requests and instructions for treatment;
2. Acquire monitoring and treatment orders from licensed healthcare providers prescribing within the scope of their licensing authority;
3. Provide sufficient and secure storage for medical equipment and medication provided by the parent;
4. Permit student with diabetes to perform blood glucose test, administer insulin, and treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia by providing easy access to the necessary supplies, equipment, and medication necessary under their IHP.  This includes the option for students to carry the necessary supplies, equipment, and medication on their person and perform monitoring and treatment functions wherever they are on campus or at school-sponsored events;
5. Permit students with diabetes unrestricted access to necessary food and water on schedule and as needed with unrestricted access to bathroom facilities.  When food is served at school, provision will be made for appropriate food to be available to the students with diabetes;
6. School meals will not be withheld from any student for disciplinary reasons.  Students with diabetes will not miss meals because they are unable to pay for them.  The charge for the meal will be billed to the parent/guardian and collected consistent with WSSB policy.
7. Parents and healthcare providers of students with diabetes will be provided with a description of their student’s schedule to facilitate the timing of monitoring, treatment, and food consumption; and
8. Each student’s IHP will be distributed to appropriate staff based on the student’s needs and the staff member’s contact with the student.

Under RCW 28A.210.330, WSSB, its employees, agents, or PDA’s who act in good faith and in substantial compliance with the student’s IHP and the instructions of the student’s licensed healthcare provider will not be criminally or civilly liable for provided care.