Advocacy

Florida

Overall, meets 16 of 23 core policy standards and six of 13 extra credit indicators. Below are the standards that Florida meets.

The 2019 State Honor Roll of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools ranks the states with the best public policies for people with asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis and related allergic diseases in U.S. elementary, middle and high schools.

Closed
Medication and Treatment Policies

Meets 10 of 12 core policy standards in this category:

1. State requires physician’s written instructions to be on file to dispense prescription medication to students.checkmark
2. State policy ensures students’ right to self-carry and self-administer prescribed asthma medication.checkmark
3. State policy ensures students’ right to self-carry and self-administer prescribed anaphylaxis medication.checkmark
4. State policies or procedures shield school personnel from liability for unintended injuries.checkmark
5. State requires local school districts to create asthma and anaphylaxis medication policy and provides resources, guidelines and parameters.checkmark
6. State policy mandates schools to identify and maintain records for students with chronic conditions including asthma and anaphylaxis.checkmark
7. State requires a procedure updating health records periodically.checkmark
8. State requires that schools maintain asthma/allergy incident reports for reactions, attacks and medications administered.checkmark
9. State requires a student health history form that includes asthma/allergy information to be maintained for each student.checkmark
10. State requires schools to have emergency protocols for asthma.x
11. State requires schools to have emergency protocols for anaphylaxis.checkmark
12. Nurse-to-student ratio is 1:750 or better.x

Meets two of six extra credit indicators in this category:

A. State requires anaphylaxis medicine – epinephrine – stocking and authority to administer in schools.x
B. State allows and/or requires asthma quick-relief medicine – albuterol – stocking and authority to administer in schools.x
C. State has or is preparing an explicit asthma program with policies, procedures and resources for schools to manage students with asthma.checkmark
D. State has or is preparing an explicit anaphylaxis program with policies, procedures and resources for schools to manage students with allergies.checkmark
E. State has adopted policy that each school will have one full-time nurse.x
F. State has adopted policy that school districts provide case management for students with chronic health conditions such as asthma.x
Awareness Policies

Meets both core policy standards in this category:

13. State recognizes problem of asthma in schools and has begun to address it.checkmark
14. State recognizes problem of allergy in schools and has begun to address it.checkmark

Meets both extra credit indicators in this category:

G. State sponsors or provides funding for staff training in asthma awareness covering school asthma program/policy and procedures.checkmark
H. State sponsors or provides funding for staff training in food allergies.checkmark
School Environment Policies

Meets four of nine core policy standards in this category:

15. State has mandated that all schools must have indoor air quality (IAQ) management policies.x
16. State has adopted a policy requiring that districts and schools conduct periodic inspections of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system & other items important in asthma/allergy management.checkmark
17. State has IAQ policies that include specific components important in asthma/allergy management (HVAC, HEPA, carpeting, pesticide use).checkmark
18. State recommends/requires that districts or schools use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques OR ban use of pesticides inside school.checkmark
19. State requires schools to notify parents of upcoming pesticide applications.checkmark
20. State limits school bus idling time and establishes proximity restrictions.x
21. All smoking is prohibited in school buildings and on school grounds.x
22. All smoking is prohibited on school buses and at school-related functions.x
23. Tobacco-use prevention is required in health education curriculum.x

Meets two of five extra credit indicators in this category:

I. State makes funding or resources available for technical IAQ assistance to schools.checkmark
J. State recommends standards and programs to promote environmentally preferable materials for school construction, maintenance and cleaning.x
K. State requires school facility design standards that include low emission construction materials, pollutant source controls, durable and easy to clean surfaces and floors, moisture/mold controls.x
L. State has implemented or actively promotes diesel school bus engine retrofitting program.checkmark
M. State requires districts or schools to provide tobacco-use-cessation services to students.x
Policy Gaps
Nurse-to-Student Ratio; Tobacco Policies
Noteworthy
Epinephrine in Schools: A 2013 Florida law authorizes both public and private schools to maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors in a secure location for use in an emergency by authorized students and trained school personnel. Schools that choose to purchase and maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors must adopt a protocol developed by a licensed physician for the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector by trained school personnel. The law provides immunity from liability for public and private school employees and agents for any injury arising from the use of an epinephrine auto-injector administered by trained school personnel. A 2016 law made certain updates, including authorizing schools to obtain EAIs from distributors or manufacturers at wholesale or reduced prices, and removing the requirement that EAIs be locked away. HB 1305 Emergency Allergy Treatment in Schools (CH. 2016-235 Laws of Florida).

Tobacco Use Prevention: Florida has enacted legislation aimed at reducing tobacco use by conducting education programs primarily targeting youth and their parents. The campaign, conducted by the Department of Health with input from a multidisciplinary advisory council, included training for teachers, youth school programs, and information about tobacco use cessation. F.S.A. § 381.84: Comprehensive Statewide Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Program