Quote:Originally posted by Lori Anne:
[b]The nurse said, "And who wants this 504?" I said, "The parents are requesting it. We do have a doctor's note attached." She said, "Well, we usually just have a written agreement. You may get offered something else. I don't know that you will actually get a 504." I said, "Do you mean IHP?" She said, "an agreement or yes, an individualized healthcare plan" [/b]
This sort of response is so typical! Our nurse initially told us "they don't do 504 plans for food allergies." Well, they do now... BWAHAHAHAHA!
Ok. I'm sane again.
Cathy
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Mom to 6 1/2 yr old PA/TNA daughter and 3 yr old son who is allergic to eggs.

You will get through this. It will seem hard at first.
Remember, the school nurse's specialty is healthcare. Unless she also has a law degree and specializes in education, she might not know how it pertains to food allergies, especially if you are the first requesting one for a food-allergic child. I was, and many here were too.
I find it funny that the term "request" was used. You are actually not "requesting" anything. Your child has the legal right to have a 504 (provided all the medical documentation is in place), and you want one implemented.
I had an experience like this with my first "offical" contact with the school. Then I went to the Director of Special Education who was handling 504's at that point, said what I wanted, and he intervened on my behalf. After that it was pretty much smooth sailing. I had a rough draft 504 ready to go at that first meeting (Principal and Dir. of Spec. Ed) and we got almost everything squared away. Took almost 2 hours though.
Although even before that point, I sent the Principal a letter with all the necessary documentation. Leave your paper trail. It is VERY important.

Lori Anne - That's so great that you're starting the 504 ball rolling already. I wish I would have known about it sooner and realized how important it would be to keep my son safe at school. Shield yourself with the laws and educate yourself on how they protect your child. I'm learning this as I go and, though it's been a stressful process, I know it will be well worth it in the end.
Best Wishes!
Tracy

I think it's a really good idea to have their form filled out as well. Those who need the information will know exactly where to look on the form they're familiar rather than one they have to learn its arrangement should they need to reference it in an emergency. Hopefully you can keep both forms stapled together.
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Jana
[url="http://www.seattlefoodallergy.org"]www.seattlefoodallergy.org[/url]

Hi Lori Anne - sorry to hear about your daughter's reaction. Sounds like you're doing a great job looking out for her.
In regards to the 504 plan, some of the best advice I've gotten is to focus on eligibility, not whether you "need" it. In other words, if someone says "Well, you don't need a 504 because we have a peanut-free classroom" you can say "Are you saying my daughter is not eligible for a 504?" Once you get eligibility established, then you don't need to prove you "need" it.
Hope this helps!

Lori Anne: I, too, am just starting this process. I actually dropped the 504 request off at school today that had the allergist letter attached.
I was told earlier that a 504 was not necessary and that they have other PA children in school without a 504. I need to stay firm in my belief that I need to get this 504 to protect him best.
Lori Anne...keep me updated on your progress. I am curious to see how quickly (or slowly) other schools get these 504s in place.
Also does anyone know how a 504 works when you change schools...does it follow like an IEP does?? A move shortly after the school year starts may be a real possibility, so I need to keep that in the back of my mind.
Thanks-
Donna