Heartland AEA 11
6500 Corporate Drive
Johnston, IA 50131
515/270-9030
800/362-2720
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Special Education Transition
At age 14 all Special Education students must enter transition to prepare for graduation. At this time their IEP changes because Section B includes living, learning, and working sections. For some of our students with extreme needs, health remains largely unaddressed. For students who plan to live independently, does the student understand their medical condition and its implications on living, learning, and working? Does the student know how to contact their doctor and how to schedule an appointment? Do they know the name, dosage, and potential side effects of any daily medications? What type of insurance coverage will they need? Some teachers complete a Health Care questionnaire with the student and family but often do not involve the school nurse. This link connects to a sample health assessment from the Iowa Transition Matrix. It is designed to identify student deficits in living. Once a student need has been identified in any of the three areas it must be addressed on Section F of the IEP. It could be either a service, activity, support or a goal area.
- An example might be an activity under linkages/interagency responsibilities. "The school nurse will collaborate with the Child Health Specialty Clinic case manager to teach Ashley how to lead her care conference. Time and frequency would be 1 hour per month"
- Supports for school personnel example might read, "Instruct school staff in the signs and symptoms of high/low blood sugar and treatment. Collaborate with job site coordinator to ensure that all potential work sites know about Jess's health condition and how to provide first aid"
- Accommodations should be considered not only at school but on a potential work study site as well. "Staff will check with David to make sure he has his inhaler in his back pack prior to leaving for each job site"
- Although special health services are defined in broad terms in Section F, the student's IHP should address self-care, knowledge, self advocacy, coping, and any other deficits identified during the assessment.
Consider ways you might collaborate with your special education teachers to assist with transition for students starting at age 14.
Transition and Health Web Sites
Dental Screening
In response to questions at the September 10, 2008 ICN school dental screening training, Sara Schlievert has submitted the following information:
1.) What if a nurse does a dental screening, identifies a problem, and the family doesn’t follow through? Is she liable?
According to legal counsel at the Department of Education, no school employee should have legal liability for a family's failure to follow through – and this law in and of itself doesn't add to a nurse's exposure to liability. As long as a school nurse fulfills her employment duties in a reasonable, competent manner, she shouldn't be more concerned about liability just because of this new law.
2.) Is parental consent required?
The Department of Education recommends all school nurses to have active (vs. passive) parental consent to conduct the screening themselves. What is mandated by state law is that a parent/guardian provide for the screening; the parent still has the choice about who does the screening (and even whether to have the screening vs. exemption for religious or financial reasons). School districts are encouraged to consult with their legal counsel regarding parental consent issues.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Iowa Public Health Updates
Dental
I-Smile Coordinator Map to locate the names and contact information for your school
IDPH Dental Screening Information Page This page has the screening forms, a Q & A document, and valuable links.
Lead
IDPH Lead Screening Information Page
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This web site is designed and maintained by MaryAnn T. Strawhacker RN, BSN, MPH, Special Education Nurse Consultant AEA ll. Last reviewed 12/08/2010. © 2010 Heartland AEA ll.
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