504 Plan Information in Private School

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LalaMomma

New member
Hi,

I am trying to find out my child's rights in a private school regarding a 504 plan. I would like them to make some accomodations that I find to be simple and they find to be difficult. I have not requested a 504 plan yet because I thought I would be able to work with them unofficially. I have a meeting set up with them (not 504 meeting, just general discussion) and I would like to know how it works with a 504 plan in a private school. I am trying to find out if it is leverage I have in the conversation, or when making such a plan they would have to say they can fulfill my request and can deny what I ask for. I also would like to know who covers the cost of the requests, if the request would cost money to the school. I am hoping someone here has done this before and can give me good advice.
Thanks.
 
2

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
Unless they receive federal funding, I do not believe that 504 regulation applies to them. As far as the cost, unless they receive federal/state funding to cover specific accommodations, I would think that the parents would be responsible.


What kind of accommodations are you seeking? In a public school, a tutor might be provided for instruction if the student misses "X" numbers of days. A private school my provide you the work, and extra time but I would think you would be responsible for the instruction.


My daughter was 8 years old at time of diagnosis and attended a private school. We were fortunate that the school was willing to work with us. We were also very fortunate that our daughter was fairly healthy and didn't need many accommodations. These are the things we worked out with the school...
1) she was allowed to drink Gatorade during class (normally the kids are only allowed to have water at their desk.).
2) she was allowed to signal the teacher that she was leaving the classroom to use the restroom (she did not have to wait to get permission.
3) neither she nor her sister would be counted as tardy if we were running late due to morning treatments ( we never had to use this one.
4) starting in 6th grade, she was allowed to carry her enzymes on her rather than go to the nurses office for them.

Good luck with the meeting.
 
L

LalaMomma

New member
I would like her to be able to get a vest/nebulizer treatment in a separate room, not in nurses office. She will also need someone to accompany her for her treatment. This is only for when she needs extra treatments. I have a vest I can leave at school. The cost would be making a room available for her and having someone go with her. These do come at a cost to the school in an indirect way. I want to know if I request this via a 504 plan request, do they have to accomodate if they receive some federal money.
 
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2005CFmom

Super Moderator
Not sure about that. But it would sadden me if something could not be worked out with no cost. Is your child old enough to set-up and do her treatment on her own? Or are they going to want a nurse there to do the medical stuff? Surely there could be an administrator, secretary...that could sit in an office and do some work while your daughter did her treatment, even if the nurse had to help set things up. Especially if this was only an occasional thing. But I would be surprised if they were legally bound to do so.

I know there is a free CF legal hotline that might know these answers. I'll try to find the info and post it.
 
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LalaMomma

New member
She is old enough to do everything on her own but cannot lift the vest if they want it put away every time. She does need to be supervised just so she does not waste time and also just so someone knows where she is. I am not clear at this time if it is a misunderstanding, which I hope it is. I will find out at the meeting, but I want to know my options when I go in. I want her to be in a private room where people cannot see her do her treatments, she is not comfortable doing it in public. While it is occassional, it can potentially be often, especially once she gets a cough it could be a week or two at a time. One option I plan to bring up is if she can do it in the social workers office, if it is totally private. I have never seen her office, so I don't know the set up. I am not sure what they will say, but I think that is a good option in my opinion. She does not need a qualified nurse to do it, it's not complicated. She can get the inhaler at the nurse, and do her vest treatment elsewhere. They claim they are understaffed and can't spare anyone or any room.
 
2

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
I totally understand about the privacy! Hopefully it is just a misunderstanding and it can be worked out. Especially since she doesn't need to do "medication" out side of the nurses office.
 
J

Justinsmama

New member
Hi,

My son was in a private school for k and 1st grade that was wonderful with us. I volunteered 3 days a week (elem ed degree) so I was there to oversee everything with him. I believe I was told (not from the school) that private schools do not have to comply with 504 requests. Not completely sure though. I know even with Justin in public school now, I go to the school to make sure that he gets the neb treatments and/or vest when he needs them. I have noticed that sometimes the school "forgets" to give them when they should and when he has a cold/virus or is sick, he needs the xopenex every 4 hours and should not wait until he comes back in from recess. My only concern would be if they are understaffed, that they may forget also. One suggestion would be that you call each day, 15 minutes before her treatment, to remind the school if you can not be there to do it for her. We also purchased a cell phone for him. He is only in 3rd grade, but I want him to know that he has a way to call me (without having to go through the office or the nurse) if he is not comfortable with how he feels or what is going on with treatments when he needs them. He has never used it (he has had it 2 months) but I feel better knowing it is there in his backpack. His teacher is fine with him having this and also assures if he would feel tight on the bus ride home, that I could have an inhaler waiting for him because the school will not let him have his inhaler. Good luck and I agree that having an idea of a plan in place is the best way to go. Maybe you could suggest the room and agree to make the reminder call each day?
 
R

Rebjane

Super Moderator
My daughter goes to a public school so it's different but she does do an inhaler and her VEST occasionally at school. We only have one VEST and it is VERY heavy; I lug it in and sit with her in a small private room, that is also used for kids to get one on one time with teachers. I spoke with the principal that the room needs to be private not only for my daughter but the VEST is LOUD and distracting. SHe totally understood and was extremely accommodating. I sit with my daughter in the little room for 20 min tops..It has made a world of difference for my daughter to be involved with after school activities. I would think that it would be a liability issue to leave your daughter alone doing a VEST treatment. What if she aspirated on a mucous plug alone? ( I know very far fetched, but this is the world we live in)

Another option may be using a Flutter or acapella ? we do that on occasion?
 
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LalaMomma

New member
I work so I am not able to go to the school. I also get very distracted at work so I am also not so reliable with reminders, but I certainly would try if it came to that. The nurse is usually good at calling her to take her inhaler when it's on a regular basis and I do have her cell number where I can text to remind her if need be. She would need to do the vest at the same time as inhaler so it can go hand in hand. I can't give her a cell phone because she is only 6 and the school does not let. I would have to get special permission and I don't think she is old enough for that anyway. I don't want my daughter to be alone during the vest treatment, but I don't think it has to be the nurse. The nurse is busy and cannot leave the nurses office, so Im okay with someone else going with her. One of my concerns is they are saying no due to liability, but I am not sure. I was just hoping the 504 plan requires them to comply to reasonable requests and I can pull that card if they are still being resistant. According to her respiratory therapist, she is not ready for the flutter or acapella.
 
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