1. Does the District of Columbia allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. A trained employee or agent of a school, acting under the general supervision of a licensed health practitioner, may administer medication to a student for diabetes. CDCR 22-B610.2 (2014). Specifically, public schools must train and choose at least two full time unlicensed staff to provide diabetes care:
[District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)] will: a. Complete diabetes care provider training for sufficient numbers of staff at each school attended by one or more students with diabetes […] b. Designate at least two full-time Diabetes Care Providers (one to be “on-duty” and one to serve as a back-up) on staff in each school attended by one or more students with diabetes to provide these students with adequate diabetes care; […]District of Columbia Public Schools Resolution Agreement, OCR Case No. 11-12-1133.
2. Does the District of Columbia allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, unlicensed District of Columbia Public School staff who are trained as diabetes care providers may administer medication for diabetes. CDCR 22-B610.2 (2014). Glucagon is specifically mentioned:
[…]DCPS will submit [for] OCR approval a policy that provides for timely and appropriate diabetes-related aids and services for DCPS students with diabetes when they are in immediate need of insulin and/or glucagon […]. District of Columbia Public Schools Resolution Agreement, OCR Case No. 11-12-1133.
3. Does the District of Columbia allow students to self-manage diabetes at school?
Yes. for self-management in general. With written authorization from a parent and a health practitioner, a student may “possess and self-administer” medication in school, anytime and anywhere. D.C. Code § 38-651.03. This includes diabetes medication. CDCR 22-B610.2 (2014). A student may be “subjected to disciplinary action” for misusing medication, but may not have prescription medication taken away. D.C. Code § 38-651.10.
4. Does the District of Columbia allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. As stated, students with authorization from a parent and health practitioner may “possess” medication for diabetes at school and at school activities. D.C. Code § 38-651.03; CDCR 22-B610.2 (2014). State law is not clear if a student must be allowed to possess all types of diabetes care supplies, such as glucometers, but there are no barriers, either.
Resources:
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