Diabetes

Information and resources for parents of children with diabetes.

Diabetes Forms

Diabetes and other nursing/health related forms can be found on the Nursing Forms page.

What You Should Do

If you have a child with diabetes, it's important that you contact your school to discuss any special health-related needs your child might have.

Contact Your School

Inform the school principal and school nurse that your child has diabetes when the student enrolls in school or is newly diagnosed with the disease.

• Provide up-to-date accessible emergency contact information.
• Provide the signed Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) or medical orders from the student’s healthcare provider to the school nurse or a member of the school health team.

Attend Regular Meetings

Attend and participate in the initial and annual meetings with the principal and school health team (school nurse, principal, 504 coordinator, teachers, and other school personnel who have responsibility for the student with diabetes) to discuss planning and implementation of the student's Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP), Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP), 504 plan, IEP, or other education plans.

Provide specific information about your child's diabetes and his or her performance of diabetes-related tasks at home to the school health team. As appropriate, the student also should be encouraged to attend the meeting.

• Work collaboratively with the school health team to implement written care plans, as appropriate.
• Allow for the sharing of medical information between the school and student's personal health care providers.

Keep in Touch

Maintain open communication between the school health team and classroom teachers for pertinent student information.

• Keep school nurse or designated school staff informed of any changes in the student's health status.

Provide Supplies and Equipment

Provide and replenish all supplies and equipment necessary to implement the DMMP, IHP, including Emergency Care Plan and Disaster Plan. Supplies and equipment may include:

• Blood sugar meter and strips
• Ketone monitoring kit
• Insulin and supplies to give (syringes, pen, pump supplies)
• Snacks
• Fast-acting sugar source
• Glucagon emergency kit

After-school Activity Considerations

Inform appropriate school staff ( school nurse, principal, teachers, coaches, assistive personnel, and others) when the student plans to participate in before and after school-sponsored activities, so that health care coverage can be coordinated to ensure the health and safety of the student your student.

• Understand the federal and state laws that address the school's responsibilities to help students with diabetes.