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Safe at School COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources

Safe at School

Find resources to keep kids safe at school during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique worries for parents of children living with diabetes.

As schools begin to re-open, we anticipate concerns, questions and challenges may arise that parents, schools, the medical community and the legal community will have to navigate together. The return to school in the midst or just following a global pandemic is largely unchartered territory, in particular for students with diabetes. Nevertheless, students with diabetes have legal rights and these rights do not go away during a global pandemic.

As the science and guidance evolves, we will be working to produce helpful resources and tools for parents and schools to help them navigate this unique time. Our resources will try to address the most common issues that we see. On this webpage, you will find recommendations for returning to school during the pandemic and links to helpful sources of authority. Please check this webpage periodically as we are regularly adding resources and information.

Safe at School Resources during COVID-19

Recommendations

Provider Letter Templates

Other helpful information and resources

Webinars & Virtual Meetings

Find resources and a Q&A from "Back to School with Diabetes in the Time of COVID-19,” a chat hosted by Children with Diabetes on August 23, 2020. Part of the Screenside Chats with CWD series, this chat featured ADA's Safe at School Director and parent of a child with diabetes Crystal Woodward and Dr. Anastasia Albanese-O’Neill, nurse diabetes educator at the University of Florida, co-chair of ADA’s Safe at School Working Group and parent of a child with diabetes.
Watch the Back to School with T1D Virtual Town Hall, hosted by the Diabetes Research Institute on August 13, 2020. This Town Hall featured expert panelists including ADA’s Safe at School Director Crystal Woodward, MPS and Safe at School Working Group members Cynthia Munoz, PhD, CDE, and Leah Wyckoff, MS, BSN, RN, NCSN.
View the recording and resources from “Returning to School with Diabetes: Virtual Town Hall Meeting,” presented by the ADA, JDRF and Sansum Diabetes Research Institute on July 21, 2020.

Resources from the American Diabetes Association^® (ADA):

The ADA’s Safe at School campaign offers a wealth of resources, tools and information to help parents and caregivers advocate for the rights of children with diabetes in school, child care, camp and recreational program settings.
The ADA’s Know Your Rights: COVID-19 page provides information on the rights of people with diabetes during a global pandemic, as well as resources to assist people with diabetes during COVID-19.
The ADA’s COVID-19 Hub helps people with diabetes and their families find the latest information, tips and resources about COVID-19, including answers to the most common questions about COVID-19 and diabetes, tips to stay safe and resources for health care professionals.

Resources from the Federal Government:

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) COVID-19 Guidance Fact Sheet addresses the risk of COVID-19 in schools while protecting the civil rights of students. Published March 16, 2020.
OCR Supplemental Fact Sheet addresses the risk of COVID-19 in preschool, elementary and secondary schools while serving children with disabilities. Published March 21, 2020.
U.S. Department of Education Student Privacy Policy Office Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and COVID-19. Page 4 addresses the disclosure of a student’s illness under FERPA to other parents without prior written parental or eligible student consent. Published March 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs. This is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of COVID-19. Published Septembre 18, 2020.
CDC Guidance for Higher Education Institutions provides information on the measures colleges and other post-secondary institutions may take to protect students and employees, and to slow the spread of COVID-19. Published May 30, 2020.
CDC Guidance on Medical Conditions and Increased Risk discusses the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 for people with certain underlying medical conditions. Published October 6, 2020.
CDC Guidance on COVID-19 Testing K-12 provides information to school administrators on the appropriate use of SARS-CoV-2 testing. Published June 30, 2020.

Resources from other organizations:

LRP Publications’ “Special Ed Connection” highlights suggestions for students with diabetes returning to school during the global pandemic. Published August 28, 2020
American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry. Published June 25, 2020.
American Academy of Pediatrics News Release: Pediatricians, Educators and Superintendents Urge a Safe Return to School This Fall. Issued July 10, 2020.