Want tips to train others to recognize #Anaphylaxis?
MassGeneral Hospital for Children #foodallergybootcamp. www.massgeneral.org/children/food-allergies/food-allergy-management-boot-camp.aspx … Brought to you by #foodallergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention Program giving.massgeneral.org/food-allergy-advocacy/ … #FoodAllergy #foodallergymanagement ... See MoreSee Less
1 week ago ·
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As a longtime advocate for food allergy safety, i was proud to testify today in support of my bill requiring schools to have food allergy plans, which will ensure that schools have the training and expertise necessary to prevent and respond to allergic incidents. Thank you to everyone who came out to testify today and share your story. ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago ·
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Calling All Massachusetts Food Allergy Families and Advocates!
We need your support for S 255, An Act to Establish Food Allergy Plans in School. It goes to the Joint Committee on Education this Monday June 3rd, 10AM in room A1. If you are in town, please join us at the State House at 9 AM (please be aware that the hearing can run until 5pm). We welcome testimony (3 minutes) or letters to the Joint Committee. Also we welcome you just showing up to give support.
Please share your story that highlights the importance of schools having food allergy policy, staff training, and/or availability of stock epinephrine.
IMPORTANT STATISTICS:
National statistics suggest that 1 in 13 children has food allergies. Nearly 40% of these children have already experienced a severe allergic reaction.
Massachusetts data from the 2016/17 school year documented over 300 epinephrine administrations in MA schools that year. 25% of epinephrine administrations were to people without a known history of allergy. Close to 7% of MA students have a food allergy, with 3% of MA students having an auto-injector.
KEY MESSAGE:
Allergic reactions should always be handled as a medical emergency and this bill will ensure that schools are ready to avoid, recognize, and treat allergic reactions. Current epinephrine regulations exist (105 CMR 210) and suggest policy and training that includes prevention. Current regulations apply to public and private primary and secondary schools.
Existing MA guidelines prohibit non nurses from treating a person without a known allergy.
S.255 would ensure that schools have policies and procedures in place for the management of students with food allergies (including unknown allergies) and will help schools comply with the existing epinephrine regulations (105 CMR 210).
This bill would also require school staff to receive some form of annual professional development on providing a safe environment for students with food allergies.
If passed, this law will build on the already existing MA guidelines by making policy, education, and epinephrine availability consistently implemented across the Commonwealth.
OUR ASK: JOINT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Please reach out to Rep Peisch and Senator Lewis (malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J14) and ask them to support S255.
OUR ASK: INDIVIDUAL'S LOCAL LEGISLATORS
Please ask your reps and senators to co-sponsor and/or support this bill.
TEMPLATE LETTER TO YOUR LEGISTLATORS:
www.dropbox.com/s/jryx1znnfkmrvpm/S%20255%20Template%20to%20local%20legistlators%20.docx?dl=0 ... See MoreSee Less
4 weeks ago ·
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Please join us @mghfc #Foodallergybootcamp May 20, 12-1 MGH Blum Center www.massgeneral.org/children/food-allergies/food-allergy-management-boot-camp.aspx
We'll discuss parallels between #foodallergy #anaphylaxis and traffic safety. ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago ·
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