IEP? IHCP? 504? IDK!

by Kelley Barnett

FAAM's highlight for April is the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT), who recently recognized us as an educational support group. Thank you FAACT! ​

FAACT's website has a lot of good information on food allergies, whether you are newly diagnosed or you have been managing food allergies for years, you will read something helpful. Since most schools in the MidSouth are registering students for the 2016-2017 school year, you may have questions on how to help protect your child while he or she is in school. You may have heard the terms IEP and even 504, but have no idea what the letters and numbers really mean. This is where FAACT's Civil Rights Advocacy webpage is helpful.

FAACT outlines the differences in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, and Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP). I especially appreciate the links to the original sources of information, such as the Department of Education and the Americans with Disabilities Act websites. When you can reach the original source of information, you can usually keep up with any changes made. WARNING: Once you begin reading the information in the Civil Rights Advocacy section, you probably will not be able to stop and inadvertently pull an "all-nighter". 

You will also find plenty of other food allergy related resources on FAACT's site, especially helpful is their Education Resource Center. I encourage you to follow them on social media as well, they post many educational infographics that are great to share with family and friends to help spread awareness.

As always, do your own research on any topic and ask local experts if assistance is needed. FAACT has provided us with an informative place to start.