Medications and Health Care Action Plans

Medication may be given to students at school according to the Colorado Department of Education’s Medication Administration Guidelines in the School and Childcare Settings and Poudre School District's medications policies JLCD and JLCD-R.

Procedures for Medications

All medications - prescription and non prescription - require forms to be completed.
Medications need to be unexpired and unopened, in their original packaging (as small as possible) or prescription container with the most current label. Medications must be turned in to the health office, with the appropriate medication authorization form, by the parent/guardian.
If the parent or guardian is not available to drop off or pick up medication, contact the health office to make other arrangements. Do not send medications with students!

Medication Forms

For over the counter, prescription or controlled substances (excluding emergency medications) use:
- General Authorization and Release for Administering Medicine to Student at School or School-Sponsored Activity
- Español General Authorization/Release

High school students who plan to self-carry and self-administer any over the counter or prescription medications (excluding controlled substances and emergency medications) use the:
- Carry and Self Administer Medicine at School or School-Sponsored Activity for High School Students
- Español Carry and Self Administer Medicine at School

Emergency medications: Required forms are linked in the health conditions noted below.
Fifth-Grade ECO Week at Colorado State University Mountain Campus requires this specific CSU medication authorization form. Other Eco Week locations such as YMCA Estes Park, etc. accept PSD normal medication forms.
Field trip medication forms:
- Self-Administer Only or Carry and Self-Administer Medicine during District-Sponsored Travel
- Español - Self-Administer Only or Carry and Self-Administer Medicine during District-Sponsored Travel

Health Conditions, Plans and Medications

Health Care Action Plans (HCAPs) and medication administration forms must be completed by a health care provider and signed by the parent/guardian. HCAPs and forms expire and must be submitted each year for the student.

If your child is managing a health condition, you will find resources and required forms available in sections below. Please note that it is best to print the form and take it to your annual well child visit to avoid additional charges by your medical provider.

Allergies/Anaphylaxis

In compliance with CO REV STAT 22-2-135 (2018), PSD asks families to provide information about their student’s allergy and reaction and to submit a completed *Allergy and Anaphylaxis HCAP/Authorization Form,* and if appropriate, a Medical Meal Modification form.

Students with emergency medications may self-carry their medication (epinephrine, albuterol, antihistamine) with signed permission by the medical provider and parent/guardian on the HCAP or medication administration form.
The school nurse will assess the student’s ability to manage their medication and work toward independent self-administration as needed.
*Students may self-carry and self-administer their own emergency medications such as (Epinephrine pens, Albuterol Inhalers, etc). If you would like your student to self-carry and self-administer, submit the:
- Carry and Self-Administer Prescribed Medicine at School or School-Sponsored Activity - Asthma/Allergy
  - Español - Carry and Self-Administer Asthma/Allergy

PSD Food Allergy Guide

PSD recognizes the needs of students with potentially life-threatening food allergies and harmful food intolerances and its responsibility to provide a safe environment for them. The PSD Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Advisory Committee is a collaborative group of parents, nurses, and administrators that works to provide safety guidelines and practices for schools with students with allergies.

Nurses and Health Techs at Schools >>

School Lunch and Modifications

The PSD Child Nutrition website has information on special needs, ingredients menus.
Meal Modifications Form

Food Allergy Resources

FARE (Food, Allergy, Research & Education)
FAACT (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team)
CDC (Center for Disease Control)

Roles and Responsibilities

At School

In the Classroom

Teacher Roles, Responsibilities
Substitute teachers are made aware of food allergy/anaphylaxis/emergency care by online modular training and onsite student specific information communicated at the beginning of each assignment. Many schools require high-usage substitutes to receive anaphylaxis and emergency response training and delegation.

Family and Student

The 504 Plan - The 504 Plan gets its name from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law that prohibits schools with federal funding from excluding or otherwise discriminating against a student with a "disability" solely on the basis of that disability. This plan is created when standard school policies and procedures do not meet the needs of the student. It outlines accommodations in the classroom and other locations or activities that achieve the goal of providing a safe educational environment, detailing the roles and responsibilities of the school educators, parent and student.

More: Frequently Asked Questions >>

Asthma

In compliance with CO REV STAT 22-2-135 (2018), schools require an *Asthma HCAP/Authorization Form completed by a healthcare provider for medical care to be administered in school.

This form also allows student possession and self-administration of asthma medication as long as the provider and parent agree.
The school nurse will assess the student’s ability to manage the medication and work towards independent self-administration as needed.
*Students may self-carry and self-administer their own emergency medications such as (Epinephrine pens, Albuterol Inhalers, etc). If you would like your student to self-carry and self-administer, submit the:
- Carry and Self-Administer Prescribed Medicine at School or School-Sponsored Activity - Asthma/Allergy
  - Español Carry and Self-Administer Asthma/Allergy

Diabetes

Children with diabetes require special management of diabetes and their health care needs at school to allow them to access the same education and opportunities as their peers and to keep them safe at school.

PSD has a diabetes resource nurse who works closely with school nurses, families and providers to ensure all students with diabetes are appropriately cared for in the school setting.

Resources:

Headaches and Migraines

Seizures

In compliance with the CO REV STAT 22-1-132 (2022), PSD requires training of appropriate staff in seizure recognition and first aid. Designated employees are trained/delegated by the school nurse to administer prescribed treatments for students with a seizure diagnosis.

Serious emergencies rarely happen, but when they do, having a plan that is simple, easy to follow and well organized provides responders with the approach they need for an effective response.

The parent or legal guardian is encouraged to submit the student’s Seizure Emergency Plan and Medication Orders for Schools and Childcare Settings | Español HCAP Seizure Form and/or any amendments to the student’s seizure HCAP at the beginning of the school year, following diagnosis of a seizure disorder, or upon any significant health status change in a timely manner.

Other Medical Procedures and Health Needs

Medical Conditions with Attendance Challenges

Homebound Services in PSD are appropriate for students with a documented medical or mental health condition that prohibits attendance at school for more than three weeks. This is a temporary placement to allow for continuity of education over a limited period of time.

PSD also offers a teen parenting program for students who are pregnant or parenting. Other alternative school options:

Poudre Community Academy (8 -12 grades)
Centennial High School (9 - 12 grades)