504 Plans for Students with Celiac Disease Andrea Levario, J.D.

Goals for Today Federal Laws Options for meeting student needs Process 504 plan components GF menus

Part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Federal civil rights law All qualified persons with disabilities within the jurisdiction of a school district are entitled to a free appropriate public education What is Section 504?

Understand the Options 504 Plan Individual Health Plan Individual Education Plan

504 and IHP Individual Health Plan In writing, informal Not legally binding No documented disability 504 Plan In writing, formal Documented disability Lists accommodations Parents may be involved Due process

IDEA Individual Education Plan (IEP) For students with specific disabilities Specialized instruction program Parents involved Defined procedural process

Federal Disability Laws Applies to public schools Applies to most private schools Applies to public schools Applies to limited private schools Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 Rehabilitation Act 1973

Celiac Disease = Disability? Must meet this standard – The individual student has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.

“Major Life Activities” Walking Seeing Hearing Speaking Breathing Reading Thinking Learning Working Eating Caring for one’s self Communicating Concentrating Performing manual tasks

The Process Request for services Student evaluation Determination of eligibility Plan drafted, approved, implemented

What to Document Identify the disability Explain how it restricts the child's diet Major life activity affected Foods to be omitted Foods to be substituted

Medical Statement

Medical Statement (cont.)

Scope of Section 504 Class Food Service Communication Extracurricular Activities Emergency

The 504 Plan Objective – Safe Environment Accommodations predicated on student age Reasonable Team effort to keep child safe

In the Classroom Snacks / Rewards Cleaning desks Attention to hand washing Additional bathroom privileges Extra time for test taking Information for substitute teachers

Communication is Key Parental notification Emergency contacts Emergency evacuations / shelter-in-place

Attention in the School Kitchen Separate food preparation Dedicated work spaces and/or equipment Clean and sanitize surfaces, equipment Review product labels, share with parent Staff training

Meal Accommodations Required Allergies - potential of anaphylaxis Celiac disease With Approval Allergies - no anaphylaxis Food intolerances

Chesterfield County, VA Middle School Gluten-Free Menu

Helpful Notes for Dietitians Know what the USDA meal pattern requirements are so that you can assist the school in developing the child’s personalized diet plan. Be knowledgeable of the policies and procedures in place for the State and local district as they pertain to children with identified special dietary needs

Resources CDF Website Foodallergy.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs”