Learn how to advocate for your child with Cystic Fibrosis by understanding the legal rights under the 1975 IDEA education act. Discover the significance of a Section 504 Plan and how to request accommodations from your child's school to ensure a supportive learning environment.
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Presentation Transcript
Starting School: Partnering with Your School District to Support Your Child s Needs Debbie Menet, LCSW Advanced Clinical Social Worker CF Center, Stanford Medicine Children s Health dmenet@stanfordchildrens.org (do NOT send PHI)
1975 Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Federal Law To ensure that all children with disabilities are provided with a free and appropriate public education Result a Section 504 Plan or IEP (Individual Education Plan) 504 Plan is geared toward ensuring a student has equitable access to a learning environment IEP focuses on educational benefits, and usually includes direct services. EVERY child with Cystic Fibrosis has a legal right to a Section 504 Plan at their local public school.
EVERY child with Cystic Fibrosis has a legal right to a Section 504 Plan at their local public school. A 504 Plan is a legally binding document created by the school district in partnership with the student s parents. A 504 Plan provides procedural safeguards and rights to students and ensures that needed student accommodations will occur. Examples of accommodations: Taking enzymes at school Carrying extra water / fluids to school Can go to bathroom when needed without limitation Provide student with schoolwork when/if hospitalized
Public vs. Private School Public School Private School Legally mandated to provide a 504 Plan, accommodating the student s needs, if parents request one. By law, required only to make minor or reasonable adjustments. Most will have a process of academic accommodations. Best to talk with school Principal or administrator Confirm accommodations in writing
Requesting a 504 Plan Once your child is enrolled, you may request a 504 Plan in writing You will want to have plan in place before school starts recommend request in May. You have a right to an annual 504 Plan meeting You have a right to request a meeting between annual meetings if plan not working You have the right to an interpreter at the meeting, provided by the school, if your native language is not English.
(Todays date) Principal (First and last name) (School name) (School address) Re: (Your child s first and last name) DOB: (Your child s date of birth) Dear Principal (last name): I am writing to formally request a meeting to create a 504 plan for my child, (child s name), who has Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that impacts (his/her/their) daily functioning at school. Enclosed you will find documentation of my child s condition from (his/her/their) doctor, including information about Cystic Fibrosis how it manifests or shows itself in daily life. Please let me know if you need any more information before we meet. Please let me know the earliest meeting times and dates that all the necessary school personnel can attend. In my child s case, I feel it s crucial to have the (school nurse, homeroom teacher, recess or lunch monitor) involved in this meeting. I look forward to hearing from you within the next week about this meeting request. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, (Your name) (Your street address) (Your city, state, zip code) (Your phone number) Enclosure: Physician s statement
504 Plan Resources: CFRI: booth at Ed Day with booklet CF in the Classroom Cystic Fibrosis Foundation webpages: https://www.cff.org/individualized-education-programs- ieps-and-504-plans https://www.cff.org/intro-cf/teachers-guide-cystic- fibrosis Stanford Medicine Children's Health, HEAL Program (Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons)
Supporting your Child Normalize your child s needs; every child has different needs ; other kids have different needs that you can t see or don t know Stay positive; focus on strengths Discuss the 504 Plan accommodations with your child so they are familiar and feel comfortable; ex: taking enzymes at school Discuss as a family introducing CF to the classroom: Reading Who I Am book to the class Student of the Week; or other student spotlight projects As parents decide on how/if you want to communicate with other parents about your child s CF
In summary: Every child with CF has a legal right to accommodations too meet their needs Request a 504 Plan, determine what your child needs and continue to review the plan Continue to communicate with your school Keep open communication with your child about their educational and social needs & how you can support them Debbie Menet, Social Worker Stanford Children s CF Center dmenet@stanfordchildrens.org
