Prevalent Medical Conditions

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS

Supporting Children with Medical Needs

This video explains how students, families and schools work together to support children with medical needs at school. It walks through everyone’s role and shares what you can expect if your child has a medical condition. A key part of this is the Plan of Care – an important tool that helps make sure your child’s needs are clearly understood and supported every day.

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The DSBN knows that student health and safety are very important. We want schools to be safe and healthy places where students can learn. To support student safety and well-being, the DSBN helps students with common medical conditions such as anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and other serious health needs. Supporting these students takes a team effort from schools, families, health professionals, and community partners.

Following PPM 161, the DSBN has created Policy G-40: Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Health Conditions. This policy helps schools support students with anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and other serious medical conditions.

If your child has a common medical condition such as anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or another serious condition, please fill out a Plan of Care and if needed, an Authorization for the Provision of Medicine form, and send them to your child’s school. The forms are available below.

General

Plan of Care – General

Asthma

Plan of Care – Asthma

Anaphylaxis

Plan of Care – Anaphylaxis

Diabetes

Plan of Care – Diabetes

Epilepsy

Plan of Care – Epilepsy

Provision of Medicine

Medication Authorization Form

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS

Prevalent Medical Conditions FAQ

What is the DSBN doing to support and keep students with prevalent medical conditions safe?

Consistent with PPM 161: Supporting children and students with prevalent medical conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and/or epilepsy) and as required by Sabrina’s Law (2005) and Ryan’s Law (2015), the DSBN has developed and maintains policy and practices to support students with prevalent medical conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy).

What is a Plan of Care?

A Plan of Care is a form with important information about a student who has a common medical condition. As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, you help create, review, and update your child’s Plan of Care with the principal and, when appropriate, your child. This should be done within the first 30 days of the school year and updated during the year if needed, such as when your child is diagnosed with a medical condition.

The Plan of Care gives the school important information, including:

  • emergency contact information
  • possible triggers and ways to help prevent problems
  • needed medication, who gives it, how your child takes it, and where it is kept
  • signs and symptoms of a medical emergency or other medical issue
  • how the school can support or accommodate your child
  • notes or information from your child’s health care provider, if needed

With your permission, the principal will share the Plan of Care with school staff and other adults who work directly with your child, such as food service workers, transportation staff, and volunteers.

What is my role as a parent/guardian/caregiver?

As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, you play an important role in managing your child’s medical condition while they are at school. You should:

  • tell the school about your child’s medical condition and meet with the principal to create the Plan of Care
  • confirm at the start of each school year that your child’s medical condition has not changed
  • contact the principal if there are any changes to your child’s condition or their ability to manage it, and take part in yearly meetings to review the Plan of Care
  • help your child learn about their medical condition, with support from a health care professional if needed
  • encourage your child to build skills in managing their condition and speaking up for their needs
  • provide your child and/or the school with enough medication and supplies in the original, clearly labelled containers, and check expiry dates regularly
What is my child’s role?

Depending on their age and ability, students should help with their Plan of Care and learn how to manage their medical condition at school. Your child’s role may include:

  • helping make and review their Plan of Care
  • speaking up about their safety and well-being
  • following daily routines to manage their medical condition, such as carrying their medical supplies and following school rules for throwing away medication and supplies
  • telling a parent or school staff member if they are having problems at school because of their medical condition
  • telling school staff or other students if there is a medical problem or emergency
What is the role of my child’s school?

Principals and school staff should:

  • review the Plan of Care for each student they work with directly
  • follow school board steps to reduce the risk of triggers or other causes listed in the student’s Plan of Care
  • support students by allowing them to manage their medical condition during the school day, as outlined in their Plan of Care
  • help students with medical conditions take part in school activities safely and fully