Mark Feblowitz wrote:

>our schools do not have full-time
>nurses and the staff is forbidden from giving out medications. For several
>years Leslie was "on call" to rush in and give Josh his meds. Fortunately,
>we have been able to get permission for him to carry his own medications
>and to self-medicate when necessary. We've given him proper training, and
>he's done well.

Mark,  (or anybody else who knows...)

Is this a Mass law?  My 5 year old just started kindergarten, and is in an after school program which does not have a school nurse.  I managed to convince them to keep and, if needed, to administer an Epi-Pen - but they will not let us do that with Benedryl.   We have never had a problem with her old day care center on this: nor with babysitters for that matter.  The rationale we're getting from the school system is that an Epi-Pen is for emergencies - but that Benedryl is something lesser.  Support during the school day is not a problem - in fact they've far exceeded our expectations everywhere but this one issue.  We've been able to work through some confusing and contradictory policies just by pointing them out.  Actually, the funny (?) part is that because of a transportation issue, she has permission to carry both Epi and Benedryl on her person - but 5 is a *little* young to self administer.  :-| 

Can they really refuse to provide emergency assistance?  Did the Mass legislature really outdo itself this time and make it ~illegal~ to provide it?  I'll be working my way up the food chain Tuesday, and I'm trying to figure out how far I'll need to go... 

Thanks,

Lisa