KATY ISDFOOD ALLERGY

AWARENESS

SENATE BILL 27

• Requires the Board of Trustees of each school district to adopt a policy for the care of students with diagnosed food allergy at risk for anaphylaxis

• Each district must develop a food allergy management plan to care for students with food allergies at-risk for anaphylaxis

• Katy ISD Administrative Regulation FFAF outlines procedures for addressing food allergy in the school setting

Eight Foods that Account for 90% of the Food Allergy Reactions

• Milk

• Eggs

• Peanuts

• Tree nuts

• Fish

• Shellfish

• Soy

• Wheat

Definitions

• Food allergy is a potentially serious immune-mediated response that develops after ingesting or coming into contact with specific foods or food additives.

• Food intolerance is an unpleasant reaction to a food that, unlike a food allergy, does not involve an immune system response or the release of histamine

Definitions

• Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.

• Anaphylaxis is highly unpredictable

• Four out of every 50 children have a food allergy

• Food allergy can have a wide-ranging negative effect on children and their families, affecting not only life at home but also school, work, vacation ,and entertainment

Signs & Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

• The most dangerous symptom includes breathing difficulties and drop in blood pressure or shock, which is potentially fatal.

Food Allergy Symptoms

• Mouth Tingling, itching, swelling of tongue, lips or mouth (blue/grey color of the lips)

• Throat Tightening of throat; tickling feeling in back of throat; hoarseness or voice change

• Nose/Eyes Runny itchy nose; redness and / Ears or swelling of eyes; throbbing in

ears

More Signs and Symptoms

• Lung Shortness of breath; repetitive shallow cough; wheezing

• Stomach Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal cramps

• Skin Itchy rash; hives; swelling of face or extremities; facial flushing

• Heart thin weak pulse; rapid pulse; fainting; palpitations; blue lips,face, or nail beds; paleness

Food Allergy Management Team

Each campus in Katy ISD will create a Food Allergy Management Team which may consist of:

1. Campus Nurse

2. Principal or Campus 504 Coordinator

3. Counselor

4. Classroom teacher

5. Food Service Manager

6. Member of Custodial staff

Food Allergy Management TeamCampus Nurse-Coordinator

• Identify students with Food Allergies at-risk for Anaphylaxis on each campus

• Develop, implement, communicate ,and monitor Emergency plans, Health plans, and 504 accommodation plans for these students

• Reduce the risk of exposure within the school setting through environmental controls.

• Train staff on anaphylaxis and emergency response to reactions

Responsibilities - Campus Nurse

• Communicate with a licensed physician the nature and severity of a child’s allergic reaction.

• Provide the Food Services Department with a Physician Diet Modification Form.

• Parents/guardians/student should plan to meet with the campus nurse.

• Develop a Healthcare Plan for the student.

• Review procedures post anaphylaxis reaction

Strategies to Reduce Exposure• Classroom accommodations

• Classroom letter to parents/guardians

• Cafeteria accommodations

• Transportation accommodations

• Field trip and school sponsored activity accommodations

• Hallways and common area accommodations

Environmental Controls to be Considered

• Educate students, staff and parents on food allergy awareness.

• Educate students on, not trading or sharing food, snacks, drinks or utensils.

• Assigning staff trained in the administration of epinephrine.

• Providing ready access to epinephrine in an identified, accessible, secure but unlocked area.

Environmental Controls to be Considered in the Elementary Setting• Campuses are “PEANUT CAUTIOUS” not “PEANUT

FREE.”• Limiting or eliminating food from classrooms and other

learning environments or at school sponsored activities.

• Managing parent provided classroom snacks.• Implementing handwashing protocols before and after

meals (soap and water).• Implementing appropriate cleaning protocols in the

school with special attention to high risk areas.• Establishing special seating, classroom/cafeteria/bus.

Environmental Controls to be Considered in the Secondary Setting

Students in the secondary setting really want teachers and school staff to be as uninvolved as possible. Students need to know they have campus support if they get into trouble.

• Self-carry medication

• Communicate with parent/guardian/student to develop a plan for prevention and care.

Training - Treatment of Anaphylaxis

Key campus employees will be trained to administer and treat anaphylaxis in the school setting.

1. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment in cases of anaphylaxis. It is prescribed as an auto-injector device that is relatively simple to use.

2. Immediately after administering epinephrine the student must be transported by EMS to the nearest hospital.

Post Anaphylaxis Reaction Review

When students experience a reaction at school, a review on campus should take place and address the following:

• Identify source of allergen

• Review updated information

• Identify and interview staff involved

• Address any changes to the health plan/ 504 accommodation plan

Training Elements for School Staff

• Education is key in identifying and supporting students with life threatening allergies. A tiered approach to training is implemented for all staff.

• Tier 1 = Awareness Training, for all staff, mandatory training at the beginning of the school year.

• Tier 2 = Comprehensive Training, for the Food Allergy Management Team. Focuses on specific student, specific care.

Point of Contact

• To address any questions or concerns please refer staff and parents to:

• Campus Administrator

• Campus Nurse

• Food Management Team on the campus

• Katy ISD Health Services Office