Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies

In response to the increase in students with diagnosed food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis, Senate Bill 27 (82nd Legislative Session, 2011) amended Chapter 38 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) by adding §38.0151. Statute requires the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body, or appropriate officers of open-enrollment charter schools, to adopt and administer a policy for the care of students with diagnosed food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis. The policy must be based on guidelines developed by the state Commissioner of Health in consultation with the Food Allergy Ad Hoc Committee. In addition, a school district or open-enrollment charter school should review and revise their policy as necessary to ensure it is consistent with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) guidelines. The law further states that each school year, the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each open-enrollment charter school must post a summary of the guidelines on the district's or school's Internet website, including instructions on obtaining access to the complete guidelines document.

The guidelines document includes information about how to:

Discuss federal and state legislation
Define and discuss a food allergy and anaphylaxis
Discuss the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction
Discuss how to treat food allergies and anaphylaxis, and how to manage food allergies in the school setting
Identify students with food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis
Develop, implement, communicate, and monitor emergency care plans, 504 plans, or individualized health care plans
Reduce exposure risk through environmental controls
Provide training for school staff on food allergies, anaphylaxis, and emergency response
Review policy and procedures after an anaphylactic reaction

The Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies document is intended to serve as a reference and illustrative guide for local school boards or charter school leadership. It can be used to help create and implement school district policies and administrative regulations. This document should not serve as treatment guidelines for healthcare practitioners. Any portion of this document may be reproduced for educational purposes or policy development.

The document and other information can also be found by visiting https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/allergiesandanaphylaxis/.

Food Allergies (All Grade Levels)

Parents should notify the district when a student has been diagnosed with a food allergy, especially an allergy that could result in dangerous or life-threatening reactions either by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with the particular food. It is important to disclose the food to which the student is allergic as well as the nature of the allergic reaction. Please contact the school nurse or campus principal if your child has a known food allergy or as soon as possible after any diagnosis of a food allergy. The district has developed and annually reviews a food allergy management plan, based on the Texas Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) “Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis” found on the DSHS website at Allergies and Anaphylaxis.

When the district receives information that a student has a food allergy that puts the student at risk for anaphylaxis, individual care plans will be developed to assist the student in safely accessing the school environment. The district’s food allergy management plan can be accessed through our school nurse Samantha Sartin.

[See policy FFAF for more information.]