Parents should notify the district when a student has been diagnosed with a food allergy, especially an allergy that could result in dangerous or life-threatening reactions either by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with the particular food. It is important to disclose the food to which the student is allergic as well as the nature of the allergic reaction. Please contact the school nurse or campus principal if your child has a known food allergy or as soon as possible after any diagnosis of a food allergy.

The district has developed and annually reviews a food allergy management plan, based on the Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) "Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis" found on the DSHS website at Allergies and Anaphylaxis.

When the district receives information that a student has a food allergy that puts the student at risk for anaphylaxis, an individual care plan will be developed to assist the student in safely accessing the school environment. The district's food allergy management plan can be accessed at:

[See Celebrations on page 48 and policy FFAF for more information.]

State law requires the district to request information about food allergies upon enrollment, but we also inclue a reference here to encourage parents to report a diagnosis after enrollment. Review FD(LEGAL) and FL(LEGAL) for information related to the confidentiality and retention of these disclosures.

If the district does not employ a school nurse, adjust the text accordingly.

State law requires districts to base their food allergy management plan on DSHS's "Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis" and to post a summary of those guidelines on the district's website, including instructions on accessing the complete guidelines. Any form regarding a child with a food allergy must include a link to the district website summary of the guidelines and a link to the DSHS guidelines. As of the publication of this update, the DSHS summary of the guidelines was not yet available.

State law also requires annual review of the district's FFAF(LOCAL) policy on food allergy management plans.

The RRM contains model procedures and forms to assist the district in creating its food allergy management plan.