Jane K. Kadohiro, DrPH, a Certified Diabetes Educator, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and advocate who led the effort to pass Safe at School legislation in Hawaii, said having this legislation in place is an important first step, but now parents and schools must work together to ensure the continuity in care that the law requires is being provided, by identifying those teachers and other school staff willing to be trained to provide back-up care. “Teachers and other volunteers can be trained to do a fine job,” she said, “especially if parents and diabetes educators are available for consultation during the training process. Teaching a teacher or a volunteer is no different than teaching parents how to maintain diabetes control for their children.”
The Association and the Safe at School campaign are committed to achieving effective school-based diabetes management for all children living with diabetes. But unfortunately, not all school systems are the same, and problems with access to diabetes care at school can occur. To address these problems, the Association provides a network of dedicated lawyers, health care professionals and Diabetes Advocates who can assist families and schools with implementing practical and safe solutions to diabetes school care issues.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. For the past 75 years, our mission has been to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.