Kansas Resources

• Communicating with Your Child’s School -Effective communication is the cornerstone to ensuring that your child will have her needs met at school, and be successful in school endeavors. It is important to ensure that teachers, the school nurse and other school staff have current and accurate information about your child and her health issues.

• Connected Kansas Kids - Connected Kansas Kids is a project co-sponsored by Kan-Ed, the Kansas University Center for Telemedicine and Telehealth of the Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) and Unified School District (USD) 500 of Wyandotte County, Kansas. It was conceptualized as a way to use technology and the technological infrastructure in Kansas to extend the work of Kathy Davis to more kids with chronic illness, their classmates, and their loved ones across the state.

• Guidelines for Medication Administration in Kansas Schools - Many children and adolescents are able to attend school because of the effectiveness of their medication. The health circumstances requiring medication are diverse. Medication may be essential for continued functioning, either as a component of an elaborate treatment plan for the student with a complex disability or as the only treatment necessary for a student to maintain or regain control of his/her chronic illness. In rare instances medications may be necessary for life- threatening emergencies. For most students, the use of medication will be a convenient benefit to control acute minor or major illnesses, allowing a timely return to the classroom with minimal interference to the student and to others. A student may also symptomatically benefit from nonprescription (over-the counter, or OTC) medications, natural, or homeopathic remedies. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

• Guidelines For Serving Students with Special Health Care Needs Part I - The Kansas Guidelines for Serving Students with Special Health Care Needs were developed to assist lawful custodians, teachers, administrators and health care professionals in developing appropriate Individualized Health Care Plans for students who have specialized health care needs which must be addressed during the school day. When appropriate, emergency or anticipated health crisis plans should be included in the Individualized Health Care Plan. The guidelines address the process for the development of Individualized Health Care Plans and the training of school personnel. The guidelines can be adapted for other settings including early childhood education settings and day care. Development of the guidelines represents the efforts of individuals from various agencies, organizations and disciplines. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

• Guidelines for Serving Students with Special Health Care Needs. Part II:
  Specialized Nursing Procedures, - Part II of the manual outlines the specific nursing procedures for maintenance of the student in the school setting and is written to assist school systems in establishing a safe environment for students with significant health problems. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

• Homework and the Student with Special Health Care Needs - Homework…. that is certainly a word that conjures up a lot of feeling in most people! Maybe we remember doing homework when we were in school, or think of the battles we have had with our own children about doing homework.

• Kansas Individualized Health Care Plan Checklist - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)  Microsoftword version

• Legal Implications of Providing Services to Students with Special Health Needs - For many years, students with special health needs did not go to school. They were considered too sick to attend school, and people thought it would not be in their best interest to encourage school attendance. In addition, treatment for many chronic childhood illnesses was very limited, and children with some diagnoses did not live normal life expectancies

• Nursing Notes - The school nurse is a key player in ensuring a successful school experience for a student with a chronic illness. The nurse is the “glue” that connects the student, family, school and hospital. She is integral in creating a smooth transition from hospital to school, alleviating the fears of parents and the student with a chronic illness, addressing concerns of peers, siblings, teachers and other parents, and being a support to all of these stakeholders. It is obvious, therefore, that the role of the nurse is significant and should not be underestimated.

• Why Should Kids with Chronic Illnesses Go To School? - In our society, we are used to taking care of people who are sick by suggesting they go to bed, get plenty of rest, and take care of themselves until their health returns to normal. For children with chronic illnesses, that may not be possible. Their illness, or diagnosis, may last several years or for their entire life. For a child with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, many types of cancer, asthma or other chronic diagnoses, the best plan is to help them learn to live with their illness. Future success and adjustment may be determined by how successful the young person is in making their diagnosis just another aspect or characteristic of who they are.

Other Resources

• Billing for health services included in your child's individualized educational program or individualized family service plan

• A brief analysis of a critical issue in special education - In 1993, Project FORUM issued a report (Ahearn, 1993) that provided information on resources available to states and districts in accessing Medicaid reimbursements, a relatively new source of funding at that time. It is now over 10 years since Medicaid funds were approved for use for special education services, and this document summarizes the current conditions and issues concerning the use of these funds.

• Child Has Health Problems, School Reports Him Truant - My child has asthma, and his school continually sends him home. Now they have reported him truant. Where do I look for help on this matter?

• Chronic Disease Management at School - Chronic illnesses affect at least 10 to 15 percent of American children. Responding to the needs of students with chronic conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy (also known as seizure disorders), in the school setting requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and systematic approach. Students with chronic health conditions can function to their maximum potential if their needs are met. The benefits to students can include better attendance, improved alertness and physical stamina, fewer symptoms, fewer restrictions on participation in physical activities and special activities, such as field trips, and fewer medical emergencies. Schools can work together with parents, students, health care providers, and the community to provide a safe and  supportive educational environment for students with chronic illnesses and to ensure that students with chronic illnesses have the same educational opportunities as do other students. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

• Diabetes Sample Section 504 Plan - sample Section 504 Plan was developed by the
  American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF). For further information, see the ADA Position Statement, “Diabetes Care in the School and Day Care Setting.” (Diabetes Care, Volume 27, Supplement 1, January 2004). (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

• Emergency Procedures - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Epilepsy at School - Approximately 6 school age children in every 1,000 have epilepsy, and 80% of these attend ordinary schools. Regular medical attention, accurate information and appropriate counseling will minimize problems, however, there are a few areas where difficulties may arise. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Family Voices - Family Voices is a national, grassroots clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs.

• Guidelines for the Care of Children and Adolescents with a Seizure Disorder - great resource to share with teachers also has a sample Individualized Care Plan to fill out. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Health Care Plan - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• "Healthy and Ready to Work (HRTW) National Center" serves as a national focal point for the HRSA/Maternal and Child Health Bureau HRTW initiative. The Center's mission is to create changes in policy, programs, and practices that will assist or support youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) to transition to adult health care with funding, work, and independence. The Center provides technical assistance to strengthen the transition role of state Title V CSHCN agencies, develops strategies that ensure a successful health transition from pediatric focused to adult focused care; and involves youth as full partners in creating and sustaining change

• Individualized Education Plan: A Roadmap for the Special Education Student with Epilepsy - According to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, “the IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability.”

• Individualized Health Care Plans - The most important part of developing an IHCP is good communication between parents and the school. Call the school nurse and make an appointment to discuss your child’s special health needs. Try to do this before school starts. This gives the nurse a chance to prepare paperwork and think about questions to ask or information to research. If your child’s condition is newly diagnosed, set up an appointment as soon as possible. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Sample Section 504 Plan & Diabetes Medical Management Plan for a student with diabetes - The 504 Plan sets out an agreement for making sure the student has the same access to education as do other children. It is a tool that can be used to make sure that the student, the parents/guardians, and school personnel understand their responsibilities and to work out potential problems or misunderstandings ahead of time. A 504 Plan may be developed as a result of a request by the school, a request by the parents/guardians, or in response to a problem with the student’s care at school.

• Sample Individual Health Care Plan for Student with Asthma - sample plan (Microsoft word document)

• Sample Individual Health Care Plan for Student with Diabetes - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Sample Individual Health Care Plan - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Sample Individual Health Care Plan - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Sample Medical Plan - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Students With Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools, and Students - Chronic illnesses affect at least 10 to 15 percent of American children. Responding to the needs of students with chronic conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy (also known  as seizure disorders), in the school setting requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and systematic approach. Students with chronic health conditions can function to their maximum potential if their  needs are met. The benefits to students can include better attendance, improved alertness and physical stamina, fewer symptoms, fewer restrictions on participation in physical activities and special activities, such as field trips, and fewer medical emergencies. Schools can work together  with parents, students, health care providers, and the community to provide a safe and supportive  educational environment for students with chronic illnesses and to ensure that students with chronic illnesses have the same educational opportunities as do other students. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• School Health Training Kit - Pediatricians should always have input into the care of school children with special health care needs, particularly for those who are their patients.

• A School and Parent Primer on Serving Students with Special Health Care Needs in the School Setting - Legal and Implementation Issues - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• School Resources For Chronic Disease Management - Chronic illnesses affect at least 10 to 15 percent of American children. Responding to the needs of students with chronic conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy (also known as seizure disorders), in the school setting requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and systematic approach. Students with chronic health conditions can function to their maximum potential if their needs are met. The benefits to students can include better attendance, improved alertness and physical stamina, fewer symptoms, fewer restrictions on participation in physical activities and special activities, such as field trips, and fewer medical emergencies. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• Texas Guide to School Health Plans - (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

• You the School Health Team and the IEP Process - It is not uncommon throughout the country for us to hear that an IEP team was convened, without a school health professional present, and a decision was made...

Contact the Families Together Center near you for more information