Students with chronic health conditions, no matter what their health status or degree of impairment, face common obstacles to managing their health at school.
A chronic health condition affects every aspect of a student's day.
Schools vary enormously in their ability and willingness to serve students with chronic health conditions.
Without some extra thought, information exchange, communication and planning, school can be an unfriendly, hazardous place where students face unacceptable risks to their health, safety, learning and development.
Discriminatory practices and unsafe school conditions endanger and disenfranchise children, waste precious education and health care dollars, and add to the already enormous health care, social and economic burdens on families, communities and the nation as a whole.
Students and Parents Need
Comprehensive school health services and qualified school nurses
An appropriate standard of care and effective policies
Delegation by design not default
Effective information exchange and cooperative planning for health and eucation
Reliable access to medications
Reliable risk management
Developmentally-appropriate and age-appropriate self care options
Peer and teacher education
Appropriate emergency procedures
Clarification of liability
Information about Section 504
Good documentation for decision makers and policy makers
Good indoor air quality and high quality occupational health and safety practices
Benefits of Advocacy
Reduced illness and disability
Reduced risk and restriction
Less frequent disruption at school and work
Better attendance
Fewer emergencies
Reduced medication costs
Better school-parent relationships
Reduced school liability
ELLIE GOLDBERG, M.Ed. is an education and environmental health advocate for healthy children, safe schools and sustainable communities – clean water, clean air, clean energy and safe food. Inspired by the legacy of Rachel Carson, who taught that our health and security is intimately connected to the quality of our environment, Ellie is active in public health, environmental, educational and public policy organizations working to increase citizen engagement, government accountability and corporate responsibility on behalf of children and their healthy development.
