MEDICAL BRIEFS
Texas School Food Allergy Guidelines Set to Make an Impact Thanks to Efforts of Student and Family Advocates Texas becomes 15th state to adopt statewide guidelines for management of food allergies in a school setting School food allergy guidelines in TexPublished research has shown that 1 as were published in May – the result of in 13 children in the U.S. – roughly two in a dedicated effort by children, parents, every classroom – has food allergies. Eveducators, healthcare professionals, and ery three minutes, a food allergy reaction policymakers to ensure that schools are sends someone to the emergency room for prepared to care for kids with potentially treatment. life-threatening food allergies. Mike Lade, a food allergy parent from Last year, children from across Texas Houston, Vice Chair of FAAN’s Board gathered on the steps of the capitol in Ausof Directors and a member of the ad-hoc tin for a rally to call attention for the need committee noted, “The guidelines provide for statewide food allergy management all Texas school districts with the knowlguidelines. Together with their parents, edge they need to understand and manage and supported by numerous organizations food allergies and the risk of anaphylaxis including the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxin the school environment. Importantly, is Network (FAAN) and the Food Allergy the guidelines address the steps that evInitiative (FAI), they reached their goal to ery Texas school can take to prevent reachelp make schools safer for kids like them. tions from occurring on school campuses, “We have so many kids with food alto recognize the symptoms of a reaction, to Michael Lade with son Andrew during the lergies in Texas. Our schools need help in administer lifesaving epinephrine, and to 2009 Houston Food Allergy Walk. The 2012 understanding the risks we face every day enact emergency protocols when needed.” walk will tale place on September 8th. and how to better manage them. I was Laurie Combe, school health issues proud to be among the students who succhair for the Texas School Nurses Organicessfully advocated for this law,” said Madeleine Sides, age zation said, “The guidelines encourage collaboration among 14, who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. all stakeholders and provide a set of proven practices that The guidelines are the result of SB 27, a bill that was auwill make the entire school staff more efficient and effective thored by Senator Judith Zaffirini and sponsored by Reprein keeping food-allergic students safe at school. All schools sentative Dan Branch. “Schools should be safe havens for all in Texas will benefit from the new guidelines.” children, including those with food allergies,” Zaffirini said. “Studies have shown that 16-18 percent of food allergy “These guidelines will help save lives and are a testament to reactions happen in schools, and that children are at risk the dedication of the children with food allergies and their for having their first allergic reaction in school,” said Mary parents who were among our most persuasive advocates for Jane Marchisotto, Executive Director, FAI. “We applaud this important legislation.” Texas for taking a leadership role in establishing these Public school districts and open-enrollment charter guidelines.” schools must adopt and administer policies for the care of The Texas guidelines provide a comprehensive overview students with food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis, based on of food allergy and anaphylaxis, signs and symptoms of a rethe published guidelines, by August 1, 2012. action, treatment of anaphylaxis, how to develop and impleThe guidelines were developed by the Texas Department ment emergency care plans, training for school staff, and of State Health Services along with an ad-hoc committee more. They also call for a focus on environmental controls in of experts that included representatives from FAAN; FAI; the school setting and provide guidance for school districts the Texas School Nurses Organization; the Texas Pediatric to consider obtaining non-student specific epinephrine as alSociety; the Texas Medical Association; the Texas Allergy, lowed by Texas law. Asthma and Immunology Society; school staff and school adFor more information about food allergy, visit www.foodministrators. allergy.org and www.faiusa.org.
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