Gov Bush in Fl signed a bill yesterday that will allow children to wear/carry their Epi pens in class. This is a big step since some counties in the state lock up the Epi pens in the school's office. I believe this takes effect on 1/01/06.

On Jun 22, 2005

Heres the bill:

(3) HEALTH ISSUES.-- (i) Epinephrine use.--A student who has experienced or is at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions may carry an epinephrine auto-injector and self-administer epinephrine by auto-injector while in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has been provided with parental and physician authorization. The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall adopt rules for such use of epinephrine auto-injectors that shall include provisions to protect the safety of all students from the misuse or abuse of auto-injectors. A school district, county health department, public-private partner, and their employees and volunteers shall be indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to carry an epinephrine auto-injector for any and all liability with respect to the student's use of an epinephrine auto-injector pursuant to this paragraph.

Section 3. This act shall take effect January 1, 2006.

On Jun 22, 2005

Great news! I guess we were just lucky that our school district in Florida allowed my daughter to carry her epipen the past 4 years, in high school. At least there's ONE thing I agree with Jeb about.

On Jun 22, 2005

Hi Cam's Mom,I was hopeing you and the others in Florida would see this. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

------------------ Love this site Synthia

On Jun 23, 2005

I think the bill is great - but I don't think they passed it for the reasons we would like to believe, I think it was passed to take the liability off of themselves.

At any rate, what ever their reasons are, I'm glad that they passed it.

Hey Synthia! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

On Jan 8, 2006

Quote:

Originally posted by Cam's Mom: [b]I think the bill is great - but I don't think they passed it for the reasons we would like to believe, I think it was passed to take the liability off of themselves.

At any rate, what ever their reasons are, I'm glad that they passed it.

Hey Synthia! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

[/b]

Hi Cam's mom [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] I just saw lol

------------------ Love this site Synthia

Edited to add does anyone have the link or *exact* wording on this?

[This message has been edited by synthia (edited January 08, 2006).]

On Oct 14, 2006

Hi, I'm new to this site and so glad I found it. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] I have a 4 yr. old son who will be entering Kindergarten next year so I'm already panicking about it and want to do as much as I can before he goes. I recently spoke to the Vice Principal about any policies they may have in place. This is only their 2nd year since they are a new school and just this year is their first time dealing with peanut allergic kids. They have 2 in the same classroom in Kindergarten. The moms brought in the FAAN policies for schools and educated the Principal, VP, nurse, and teacher for this year. They work together with the teacher and the other parents in the classroom to try and eliminate peanut snacks in the classroom. Not yet comfortable with that part yet. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Anyway, I had asked where the Epi-pens were kept and the VP told me in a LOCKED cabinets in the classroom!, and in a LOCKED box in the Nurses office. I said, I believe that FL recently passed a law allowing children to carry their Epi-Pen (at that time I hadn't read a lot of Kelsey Ryan Act) and that I was concerned that the Epi Pen was not being taken to the cafeteria where the likeliness of exposure was big. She said to me that the Nurses office is close to the cafeteria. I'm not at all ok with that. I'm really bothered by the locked cabinet thing. Can anyone tell me more about the Keley Ryan Act? Is there a minimum age? I'm not sure about my 4 year old carrying it himself, or he'll be 5 next year, I'll have to work on that, but I'd like to know that it will go to the cafeteria and other places he has to go in the school. I've also read a lot about the 504 on these forums. How do I go about filling one out? School board? Thanks for any advice, I'd really appreciate it. I'm so glad I found this site! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

On Oct 14, 2006

Here is info to give your school on how to implement the Kelsey Ryan Act.

[url="http://sss.usf.edu/Resources/taps/2006/2006_7.pdf"]http://sss.usf.edu/Resources/taps/2006/2006_7.pdf[/url]

The above document contains a wealth of useful information, including forms for emergency action plans, etc.

There does not appear to be a minimum age for the child to carry an epipen. The requirement is that the child demonstrates that they are competent to do so. Talk to your allergist about training for your child. There are people on this site whose children carried their epipens at age 3. My own daughter started carrying hers when she started first grade at age 6.

I hope this info helps you!

Cathy

------------------ Mom to 7 yr old PA/TNA daughter and 3 1/2 yr old son who is allergic to eggs.

On Oct 14, 2006

Considering a move to Florida. How do they handle all else? Peanut free schools, classrooms, lunch table? Any input appreciated! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Good to hear students can carry Epipen themselves! Don't have that here!

On Oct 14, 2006

My parents and brother both mentioned that the Tampa area schools (Hillsborough County) have been making motions, if they have not already done so to eliminate peanuts from the school. YAY!

My friend is a school teacher in Orange county (Orlando area) and said little has been done because school district doesn't want to step on toes.

I would do a search of school districts - Google is great. Like everywhere else, it just depends!

------------------ Mommy to Aiden (1/26/05) PA,wheat,barley,soy,egg and others yet to be discovered and Connor (7/21/06) with possible egg allergy

On Oct 14, 2006

Thanks Momcat, I'll have to read through it all. I'm not sure my to be kindergartener will actually be able to adminster the Epi-Pen without crying and freaking out that something is wrong. Just not sure that he'll mentally be there. But I want to know that his Epi-Pen will move "through" the school with him. This LOCKED cabinet thing is what everyone warns you about. I'm not happy. I have to find a way to change that. Any advice? As for the person who said Hillsborough County is looking into making peanut free schools, WOW! How do I get that information and start on Manatee County? We are neighbors to Hillsborough. I would LOVE to try and get that implemented. Any advice??? I'm new to this site and addicted already. So much valuable information and such great people. It's nice to chat with those who know and understand your situation versus some thinking you are neurotic and going overboard. Linda/Mom to 4 yr. old PA son [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]