Ohio Department of Education Learning Supports

In July 2009, House Bill 1 directed Ohio school districts to put in place a policy safeguarding students from peanut or other food allergies. The references and resources provided below are intended to assist districts as they develop and implement policies. ODE does not recommend or suggest any individual site or resource as meeting the total requirement of HB 1.

Food Allergy Policy Directive

Ohio Revised Code Sec. 3313.719: The board of education of each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school shall establish a written policy with respect to protecting students with peanut or other food allergies. The policy shall be developed in consultation with parents, school nurses and other school employees, school volunteers, students, and community members.

Implemented Oct.16, 2009
 
Guidance and Resources

Click on the titles and links below for websites and resource documents.

New FNS resource: The Food Allergy Book: What School Employees Need to Know

Federal School Meal Accommodation Requirements for Child Nutrition  Programs

• Milk Substitution for Children with Medical or Special Dietary Needs (Non-Disability): Q&As (PDF)
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition Programs - Guidance for School Food Service Staff
           
  Please note that developed school policies in response to Ohio Revised Code Sec. 3313.719 shall not alter the process of accommodating children with special dietary needs through the School Nutrition Programs as prescribed by the USDA in the aforementioned guidance.

Sample Food Allergy Policy Guidance Documents

• The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is pleased to announce the release of “Safe at School and Ready to Learn: a Comprehensive Policy Guide for Protecting Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies.” 

Developed with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new guide is designed to help school leaders and schools establish comprehensive policies and practices that support the safety, well-being, and academic success of students with life-threatening food allergies. The guide focuses on the need for schools to partner with families, and healthcare providers in identifying and supporting individual student needs and preparing management plans. Further, it provides recommendations on following medication protocols; establishing a coordinated system to prevent and respond to food allergy-related emergencies across the school environment; communicating with and educating parents, students, and school personnel; and monitoring and evaluating policies and practices.

The publication also includes a checklist for schools to assess the extent to which the guide’s components are included in food allergy policies and practices being developed and implemented; sample state and local education policies; a glossary of commonly used terms; and a list of resources related to food allergies.

The guide is available for download through NSBA’s food allergy webpage at www.nsba.org/foodallergy.  For further information on this publication, please email schoolhealth@nsba.org. 

• Massachusetts Department of Education - Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools 
• Connecticut Department of Education – Guidelines for Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Connecticut Schools 
• West Virginia Department of Education – Guidelines for Allergies in the School Setting. Click here for the document.
• Rhode Island – Sample Food Allergy Policy 
• Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (in conjunction with multiple professional organizations) – School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies 

Sample Food Allergy Policy Forms

• Food Allergy Action Plan (developed by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) 
• Authorization for Student Possession and Use of an Epinephrine Autoinjector Form (developed by the Ohio Department of Health in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3313.718/3313.141)
• Authorization for Student Possession and Use of an Asthma Inhaler Form (developed by the Ohio Department of Health in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3313.716/3313.14)
• Eating and Feeding Evaluation: Children with Special Needs and Information Card Forms (USDA Food and Nutrition Service). Click here for the PDF.

Food Allergy Policy Resource Websites

• USDA Food and Nutrition Services (USDA FNS) 

Resources for food service professionals related to the National School Lunch Program and Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs

• National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI)  

Resources for food service professionals related to special dietary needs of students and school meal program accommodations for children with special dietary needs

• National Association for School Nurses (NASN)
         
  Offers a resource for school nurses entitled The Role of School Nurses in Allergy/Anaphylaxis Management Food Allergy: Clinical Practical Guidelines
• The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) 

Offers food allergy guidance and resources for various audiences including parents, health professionals, and teachers

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) 

Offers food allergy guidance and resources for parents, students, and health care professionals.

For questions, contact:
SchoolMeals@ode.state.oh.us