State law provides that school districts may use school nurses or others to assist students in taking their medications if the student’s authorized health care provider specifies the method, amount and time of medication administration (and any other relevant information required by the school), and if the parent/guardian/other education rights holder provides a written request for this assistance. An authorized health care provider is someone licensed in California to prescribe medication.[1]
Your child can carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine or inhaled asthma medication for asthma if the district receives certain written statements from you and your child’s health provider. The student’s physician, surgeon or physician assistant’s statement shall include the medication’s name, method, amount and administration time schedules. You will be required to give your written consent for your child to self-administer medication and for school staff to communicate directly with your child’s health care providers regarding any question that may arise in relation to the medication, and releasing the School District and school personnel from liability if a child suffers an adverse reaction from the self-administration of the medication.[2]
In addition, districts may provide epinephrine auto-injectors to trained personnel to provide emergency medical aid to persons experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.[3] In addition, if your child has diabetes and is able to self-test and monitor their blood glucose level, they will be allowed to test their level and provide diabetes self-care at school upon your written request. This can occur in the classroom or any other area of the school, during any school-related activity and (upon your specific request) in a private location. You will also need to provide authorization from their health care provider.[4] See Chapter 14, Information on the Rights of Students with Significant Health Conditions.