Student Services>Diabetes Training and Education Program

Indiana Department of Education
Diabetes Training and Education Program

Point of contact is Phyllis Lewis, RN at plewis@doe.in.gov or (317) 232-9142

DISCLAIMER: This website [and this program] is not intended to provide medical advice or counsel except as provided by law. You should discuss any medical questions related to diabetes with your physician, a registered nurse (RN) or licensed health care practitioner. The listing of any private or nonprofit business, medical supply or hospital does not constitute an endorsement by the Indiana Department of Education.

Under the provisions of Public Law 166-2007 [IC 20-34-5], the Indiana Department of Education, Office of Student Services, is providing an annual diabetes training program to school nurses and volunteer health aides.

For nurses, the training will include technological advances, current standards of practice for diabetes management and training and instruction in the following:

(1) Developing individualized health plans for students with diabetes that follow the orders of a licensed health care practitioner.
(2) Recognizing and treating the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
(3) Understanding the current standards of practice and the proper action to take if the blood glucose levels of a student are outside the target ranges indicated on the student's diabetes management and treatment plan.
(4) Performing tests to check glucose and ketone levels, and recording the results.
(5) Properly administering glucagon, insulin, or other emergency treatments prescribed by the licensed health care practitioner, and recording the results.
(6) Recognizing complications that require emergency medical assistance.
(7) Understanding recommended schedules and food intake

For volunteer health aides, the training will provide a diabetes training program which includes the most current standards of practice and technology for diabetes treatment. The training will include:

(1) Implementing the orders of a licensed health care practitioner.
(2) Recognizing and treating the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia consistent with the orders of the licensed health care practitioner.
(3) Performing tests to check glucose and ketone levels, and recording the results.
(4) Properly administering glucagon, insulin, or other emergency treatments as prescribed, and recording the results.
(5) Recognizing complications that require emergency medical assistance.
(6) Understanding:
      (A) recommended schedules and food intake for meals and snacks;
      (B) the effect of physical activity on blood glucose levels; and
      (C) the proper action to be taken if a student's schedule is disrupted.

The statute provides that the school nurse shall coordinate:
(1) the training of school employees acting as volunteer health aides, using the training program developed under IC 20-34-5-15 subsection (b); and
(2) the record keeping and monitoring of a volunteer health aide acting under this chapter.

Training for volunteer health aides must be provided by a health care professional with expertise in the care of individuals with diabetes or by a school nurse. The training must be provided before the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable
following:
        (1) the enrollment; or
        (2) the diagnosis;
of a student with diabetes at a school that previously had no students with diabetes.

The school nurse or principal shall maintain a copy of the training program and the records of training completed by school employees.

To link to the statute go here: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title20/ar34/ch5.html

OTHER RESOURCES

Indiana Department of Education, Coordinated School Heath Program

Indiana State Department of Health

Indiana State Department of Health, Directory of Diabetes Service Providers

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Diabetes Public Health Resource

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Diabetes Education Program

American Diabetes Association

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International-Kids Online

Training Modules for School Personnel from the National Diabetes Education Program [NDEP]

School Nurse News on Diabetes from the National Diabetes Education Program [NDEP]

CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS