Diabetes School Care Act Passes in Indiana
American Diabetes Association: Diabetes School Care Act Significant Step in
Meeting Medical and Educational Needs of Indiana Students with Diabetes
American Diabetes Association: Diabetes School Care Act Significant Step in
Meeting Medical and Educational Needs of Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS, May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Diabetes
Association (ADA) applauded the signing of the "Diabetes School Care Act,"
legislation that will help ensure that Indiana public schools are responsive
to the medical and educational needs of students with diabetes. Governor
Daniels signed the bill into law on Friday, May 4, 2007. The Association,
including volunteers throughout the State, was a primary backer of the
bipartisan legislation, which will allow school personnel to be trained in
diabetes care appropriate for the student and allow students with diabetes
to self manage their disease on school property. Diabetes management is
accomplished with blood glucose monitoring, administration of insulin and
other medications, as well as proper nutrition and exercise. Many children
are able to handle their own daily care, while some may need adult
assistance. Representative David Cheatham (D-North Vernon), House Bill
1116’s author, and Senators Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake) and Earline Rogers
(D-Gary), sponsored this important legislation which helps make schools
safer and provides a healthier environment for children with diabetes.
"This legislation is very exciting and reassuring. Now, more than ever,
schools need to be responsive to the medical and educational needs of
students with diabetes," said Elizabeth Hall, Chairman of the ADA’s
Leadership Council in Indianapolis, who has type 1 diabetes. "Coping with
this serious, chronic disease is difficult for our children already. They
should be able to attend school knowing that they will have the proper care
and same educational opportunities that their peers do. We need to ensure
that students with diabetes can learn in a healthy and safe environment.
This bill goes a long way toward making that a reality for children with
diabetes throughout Indiana, and we applaud the bill’s sponsors for their
leadership in the Legislature and Governor Daniels for signing it into law."
The Diabetes School Care Act establishes that a diabetes management and
treatment plan be developed by the student’s health care team so his or her
needs and the school’s responsibilities are clearly stated. The bill states
that while the school nurse has the central role in the provision and
coordination of diabetes-related care at school, school personnel who wish
to volunteer as health aides will also be trained to provide supplemental
diabetes care, particularly when the school nurse is unavailable.
Additionally, the bill ensures that schools are open toward blood glucose
monitoring, offering students the ability to monitor in the classroom or
wherever they happen to be. The bill also addresses insulin administration,
whether it is performed by the student or a properly trained school staff
member.
Said Sen. Landske, one of the bill’s sponsors: "Effective diabetes
management is crucial for the immediate safety of students with diabetes,
for their long-term health, to ensure that students with diabetes are ready
to learn and to participate fully in school activities and to minimize the
possibility that diabetes-related emergencies will disrupt classroom
activities. The passage of this legislation will enable schools to ensure a
safe learning environment for students with diabetes."
"Students with diabetes deserve this assistance at school so they can spend
more time concentrating on learning and less time out of the classroom to
manage their condition," Senator Earline Rogers said. "As the number of
American children living with diabetes grows, the need for care in schools
will continue to increase. I’m very pleased that we are able to provide this
assistance to our students."
Added Rep. Cheatham: "The idea for the important part of this legislation
was brought to me by Hunter Sego, a 4th grader at Lydia Middleton School in
Madison. Hunter and his family led the charge for volunteer care for
diabetic student based on his own experiences as a diabetic. Because of his
courage and determination, Hunter Sego helped more than anyone to pass this
legislation that will help over 5,000 diabetic students in the State of
Indiana."
This legislation addresses a host of issues that students with diabetes have
had to deal with in the past. During the debate on the legislation, a number
of parents and children with diabetes highlighted issues concerning
students’ difficulty to properly manage their disease at school. For
instance, at a March hearing in the House Committee on Public Education,
Kathy Sego and her 10-year-old son, Hunter, of Madison, Indiana, spoke of
some difficulties Hunter faced after being diagnosed. Hunter was given some
"rules" to follow while at school. Initially, he was not allowed to carry
supplies in his book bag. Eventually, the school allowed him to carry
supplies. He could only test his sugar and receive insulin in the office. If
he was low, he had to wait in the office. If he was high, he had to call his
parents to come give him insulin. By having to go to the office to test his
blood sugars, Hunter missed valuable class time and put his health in
jeopardy.
When Hunter was in 3rd grade he was told by his physician that he needed an
insulin pump due to elevating blood sugars. When the school nurse and
principal were informed, Hunter was told he needed to go the "diabetic
school" in his district leaving his friends.
In Indiana, there is currently a school nurse assigned to every school
district, not every school. In Hunter’s school district there is one nurse
for the "diabetic school" and one that travels to all the other schools.
This year, Hunter was accepted in to the gifted and talented program at
Lydia Middleton School which is a model program for this new law. By
providing trained volunteers, Hunter and his mom, and the many others like
them will not have to go to school worrying whether or not an adult will be
there to help the child if they should need assistance managing their
diabetes.
This is important to all children with diabetes, because according to Hunter
Sego, "It (diabetes) doesn’t stop just because I’m at school."
Alex Sandberg, eighth grader at Hamilton Southeastern Junior High, diagnosed
with Type 1 at the age of 10, wanted to help other children with diabetes.
Alex sees her self as one of the lucky ones. Alex knows that her 504 medical
plan protects her and keeps her safe. It is important to control diabetes in
school as well as out of school. Many diabetic children are restricted in
their ability to test and treat while at school. Tight control of diabetes
as a child has positive effects on long term health. When asked about the
new law, Alex says "I appreciated the opportunity to tell my story to the
Indiana legislatures. The thought of speaking to them initially made me
nervous. But, they listened and I am proud to have helped other kids. This
bill will help diabetic children throughout Indiana be healthier, happier,
and safer." As stated by Alex’s mom, Sue Sandberg, "This is not a horrible
disease — it can be managed."
Diabetes is one of this nation’s most prevalent, debilitating, deadly and
costly diseases. Nearly 21 million American children and adults live with
diabetes today, another 54 million have pre-diabetes. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three Americans born in
2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime if current trends continue.