Food Allergy Program for Schools

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis (FAAN) has published a newly revised "School Food Allergy Program". It is now available for purchase. This updated version includes Safe@School®, a CD-Rom, which provides educators with a slide presentation and talking points to train others about food allergies. This comprehensive guide is for schools at every level with information geared toward principals, teachers, school nurses, food service staff, and parents.

Is this something your school could use? Talk to your principal, school nurse or parent teacher organization if you think this would be a valuable resource for your school. At $80 ($75 for FAAN members), you may believe it to be a worthwhile holiday gift for your child's school.

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Food Allergy at School

Check out Linda Coss's article, "Attack of the Killer Peanut Butter Sandwiches". It offers a clear explanation to teachers and school administrators about how we all need to keep kids with food allergies safe. Linda encourages parents to share this piece with school officials when planning for the upcoming school year.

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Food Allergy and School Nurses

Parents of food allergic children rely on their school nurses when it comes to keeping their children safe at school. The trouble is that school nurses don't always feel they have the tools to protect children with food allergies.

A recent study reported in The Journal of School Nursing reveals weaknesses in these areas:

emergency plan development
staff education
delegation
developing guidelines for banning foods
planning school trips

The school nurses surveyed indicated a willingness to gain more knowledge in these areas. Their preference was that this be done via video and internet resources through professional organizations.

As more and more children are diagnosed with food allergies, it is imperative that our school nurses have the education and tools they need. Who is filling this need?

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