Food Allergy Guidelines for Illinois Schools Now Available

Illinois lawmakers recently passed legislation regarding required guidelines for dealing with food allergies in all Illinois schools. The great news is that these guidelines are already available online.

Most schools in the various districts around the state will most likely adopt these policies and tailor them, if necessary, to their schools' needs.

Many people worked tirelessly to get this passed and also to create the food allergy guidelines documents. This is big progress!

If you don't live in Illinois and are having trouble getting food allergy guidelines in your state, send this link along to your state government reps as a model of how to implement these policies.

If you do live in Illinois and are having trouble with your school, please refer them to this new food allergy guidelines link for direction and help.

In Ohio, the board of education of each city, local and vocational school district, along with the governing authority of each charter school, will be establishing a written food allergy management policy. The provision states that the policy is to be developed in consultation with parents, school nurses, other school employees, school volunteers, students, and community members.

Illinois School Info courtesy of The Nut-Free Mom.

Food Allergies Take a Toll on Families and Finances

Just read an article in the NY Times that talks about food allergies and how it affects families. I can relate! I've never added up all of the extra money we spend on organic and specialty foods, Rowan's formula (EleCare), epi-pens, asthma inhalers, doctors visits, and trips to urgent care...but I know we spend a lot. And these are things we have to do. It's not a lifestyle choice. And while I wouldn't wish this on anyone, it's nice to know that there are other families out there dealing with these stresses.

Peanut allergies aren't the only ones that are life-threatening

Saw this post on The Food Allergy Mama. Like our girls, her son has a life threatening allergy to dairy, along with peanuts. How nice that her son's classroom celebrates birthdays in a food-free manner, and precautions are being taken to make his environment as safe as possible.

Severe food allergies are extremely stressful. I can't say this enough. I constantly have to be on guard, and there are so many challenging situations that make my heart race. Having a safe classroom would be such a relief. Rylie will be in kindergarten in the fall, and thankfully they don't have snacks. Elementary school will be a whole different story...with lunches, snacks and treats. How does your child's school handle food allergies?