Individualized Health Plans
When you enroll your child in school, you will be asked questions about your child’s health status. Based on your answers, your child may need an Individualized Health Plan (IHP).
The IHP is a collaborative effort between parents and guardians, healthcare providers, and the school nurse. Then it branches out and functions as a reference tool for teachers, coaches, and other staff, those who will be working closely with your child, on how to help your child stay healthy, happy, and ready to learn.
Here are a few examples of how an IHP can help a child:
- ADHD
- To help staff monitor for therapeutic effectiveness vs. potential adverse/side effects of medication.
- To provide behavior interventions and plans that assist in optimum learning.
- Allergies/Anaphylaxis
- To help staff be prepared to administer life-saving medications for children with life-threatening anaphylactic allergies.
- To help staff be aware of all potential allergens in the classroom or lunchroom that could impact a child’s ability to focus after exposure because they would not feel well.
- To prevent exposure to all life-threatening anaphylactic allergies.
- To educate staff regarding allergies and treatments needed.
- Asthma
- Prevention of asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations.
- Follow treatment plans from providers to manage asthma while in school.
- Diabetes
- To help staff recognize signs and symptoms of life-threatening low or high blood sugar and what to do about it.
- Follow treatment plans from providers to manage diabetes while in school.
- Headache
- Individualize treatment needs for a child that has been diagnosed with chronic headaches.
- Seizure
- Educate staff in the recognition and immediate management of a child experiencing a seizure.
- Follow treatment plans from providers to manage seizure activity while in school.
- Administer emergency medications for prolonged seizures according to individualized treatment plans from providers.
Education Resources by Topic:
Asthma
- Parent resources at the allergy/asthma network.
- Information about asthma action plans, peak flows and other treatments: here.
- Example of Asthma Action Plan (completed by provider).
If you have any questions about an IHP for your child, please contact the school nurse.