Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota (jw)

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http://allergy.hyperboards.com/action/view_topic/topic_id/6941


Opening Post:

Posted: Oct 5th, 2008 at 06:21 pm     

From http://www.foodallergysupportmn.org/

SECTION 504 WEBINAR

Do you and your school have a plan to keep your food-allergic child safe?
Does your child need a Section 504 plan?
What are the responsibilities of local school districts according to Section 504?

Members of the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota participated in a Webinar on this topic on Sunday, August 24, 2008. Adele Ciriacy, Due Process Specialist with the Division of Compliance and Assistance for the Minnesota Department of Education, presented information on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Participants sent questions electronically, which were answered verbally at the end of the presentation. The entire webinar is available for you to view and listen to by clicking this link: http://https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=4zhgxnvv (The length of the webinar is 52 min., 54 sec.) 

More:

Posted: Oct 5th, 2008 at 11:39 pm       

Another Minnesota link:
http://www.sartell.k12.mn.us/system/readfile.php?file=/upload-files/modules/rte/k1166086lodabow2lq7nhi95wwdsxelhcr2dvz1/Food%20Allergy%20policy.doc.
Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748 Policy 535 FOOD ALLERGY POLICY
...
When the physician's assessment indicates that the food allergy may result in severe, life-threatening (anaphylactic) reactions, the child's condition would meet the definition of disability and then the substitutions prescribed by a licensed physician are required.
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B. Providing meals for disabled (as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) students. USDA regulations 7 CFR require substitutions or modifications in school meals for children whose disabilities restrict their diets. When school officials receive a diet statement by a signed physician, it is the role of the school district to make the necessary changes or modifications by providing the types and amounts of foods specified in the licensed physician's statement.

A licensed physician must sign the medical or diet statement for a student with a disability. The medical or diet statement shall identify:
1. The student's disability and an explanation of why the disability restricts the diet;
2. The major life activity affected by the disability;
3. The food or foods to be omitted from the student's diet and the food or choice of foods that may be substituted.

The licensed physician determines whether a student has a disability based on the definition in the regulations on a case-by-case basis. School food service personnel do not make the determination of whether a student has a disability.
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D. Section 504 (School District Policy March 6, 1995): Students with handicapping conditions consistent with definitions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will be identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate services. All processes and procedures as described in that Policy and the Section 504 statute are applicable to the accommodation issues for students with life threatening disabling dietary (allergenic) needs. Food allergies will be addressed in a Section 504 accommodation plan for students who are not otherwise disabled. 

Posted: Oct 6th, 2008 at 12:07 am       

Minnesota again:
http://www.foley.k12.mn.us/District/SchoolBoardPolicies/PDF_file_updates/772%20FOOD%20ALLERGY%20POLICY.pdf

K. Food allergy: Generally, children with food allergies or intolerances do not have a disability as defined under either Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Part B of IDEA, and the school food service may, but is not required to make food substitutions for them. However, when in the licensed physician's assessment, food allergies may result in severe, life-threatening (anaphylactic) reactions, the child's condition would meet the definition of "disability," and the substitutions prescribed by the licensed physician must be made. 

[LinksEtc]

http://www.foodallergysupportmn.org/for-schools/accommodations.html

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