Resources for Texas Schools
Food allergy is a growing public health issue that impacts almost every school across the United States. Nearly 6 million children in the U.S. – which equates to 1 in 13, or roughly 2 in every classroom – have a food allergy. In Texas, Senate Bill 66 was passed through the Texas Legislature in June, 2015 and SB579 and SB1367 were passed in May 2017 allowing for stocking of epinephrine auto-injectors in Texas public schools, publicly funded charter schools, private schools and public colleges to be used in a life threatening severe allergic reaction. Physicians can write an epinephrine prescription to a school or school district.
Schools should develop policies to manage food allergies appropriately, including information on handling medical emergencies and taking preventative measures to avoid a student’s exposure to a known food allergen. Physicians, families, and school staff should work together to formulate reasonable and practical plans that will keep students with food allergies safe.
A variety of resources are available to schools to be used to help train school personnel to use epinephrine auto-injectors in an appropriate situation. These include:
1. Allergy Home
https://www.allergyhome.org
2. Online Food Allergy Toolkit for School Nurses
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Online Food Allergy Tool Kit is available at https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/practice-topics/allergies-anaphylaxis
3. Allergy Ready
http://allergyready.com/
How to C.A.R.E.™ for Students with Food Allergies: What Educators Should Know –This free online service is specifically designed for school personnel – administrators, nurses, teachers, and other staff. It is a longer, more comprehensive course for those who are not at all familiar with food allergies.
4. FARE- Food Allergy Research and Education
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources
This site has several links, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national comprehensive guidelines for school food allergy management, recommended practices for reducing the risk of exposure to food allergens and the following resources and other critical documents:
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan – This document should be on file for every student with food allergies. It outlines recommended treatment in case of an allergic reaction, includes emergency contact numbers and is signed by the student’s physician.
Managing Food Allergies in the Classroom and Cafeteria
Addressing Food Allergy Bullying
Be a PAL: Protect A Life™ From Food Allergies Program – This program can be used to help students understand how to be a good friend to children with food allergies.
Teacher’s Checklist
5. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/food-allergies
This site has several links for teaching and recommended practices for the management of anaphylaxis.
6. CDC – Food Allergies in Schools Toolkit
7. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
8. Training Resources for Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
The Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society (TAAIS) is a group of more than 300 board-certified Allergists/Immunologists in Texas.
An Allergist/Immunologist is a physician, usually an Internist or Pediatrician, who has had special training and experience in the field of Allergy and Immunology and who is considered to be an expert in the diagnosis and management of immune system disorders such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, urticaria (hives), drug reactions, food allergies, immune deficiencies, and all general aspects of anaphylaxis.
A Board Certified Allergist/Immunologist is a physician who has passed the certifying examination of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. A list of Board Certified Allergists can be found here. Those with “ABAI” under Board Certification are Board Certified Allergists/Immunologist.