Guidance Released for the Use of CGMs in the School Setting (August 25, 2024)

This summer, the American Diabetes Association provided Guidance for the Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in School Setting, which contains general information for parents/guardians (referred to in the guide collectively as “parents”), school nurses and administrators, school staff, diabetes health care providers, and others about the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the school setting to monitor a student’s blood glucose (blood sugar). The student’s individualized Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP), developed and approved by the student’s diabetes health care provider or diabetes health care provider’s orders, contain directives for managing the student’s CGM at school and should be followed and implemented by the school.

The student’s individualized Section 504 Plan, Individualized Education Program (IEP), or other written accommodations plan, should be consistent with the DMMP/provider’s orders. Specific questions unique to individual students should be directed to the student’s diabetes health care provider.

The guidance document will be updated as new evidence-based research emerges and devices are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—so the reader is  encouraged to check back frequently for updates.

To access the complete guidance document, click here.

Mandatory use of Special Ed. Paraprofessional Entry Level Credential of Competency Checklist Starts Now! (August 24, 2025)

Per 22 Pa. Code § 14.105, instructional paraprofessionals are required to meet one of the following qualifications:

       (i) Have completed at least two years of postsecondary study; 
       (ii) Possess an associate degree or higher; or
​       (iii) Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a state or local
             assessment.

The Entry Level Credential of Competency Checklist serves as the state assessment and satisfies the third pathway under 22 Pa. Code § 14.105. If a paraprofessional in a local education agency chooses this path, their supervising administrator must document the paraprofessional’s attainment of the seven competencies outlined in the Special Education Paraprofessional Entry Level Credential of Competency Checklist and submit the form to the PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. Upon review and approval of the submitted documents, the applicant will be issued an Entry Level Credential of Competency.

And now, starting with the 2024-25 school year, the Bureau of Special Education will only accept applications using the revised Entry Level Credential of Competency Checklist. The checklist must be completed electronically and emailed to [email protected].

For questions about the revised Entry Level Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraprofessionals, please email [email protected].

Moses Taylor Foundation Provides Back-to-School Resources (August 23, 2024)

The Moses Taylor Foundation is providing social media graphics outlining 10 tips for a healthy school year, along with English and Spanish versions of customizable back-to-school flyers for parents and educators. If you’d like to share these tips or flyers on your school’s social media, you’ll find downloadable graphics and ready-to-use captions and links. Click here to access them.

Click here to access more valuable information from Moses Taylor on school nursing/health services and the School Nurse Awareness Campaign.

DHS Releases Latest Positive Approaches Journal (August 16, 2024)

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the latest issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, which aims to provide the most recent research for people with mental and behavioral health challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to help them live an everyday life. This edition focuses on trauma-informed research and the best practices that can be implemented in the most supportive ways possible. This edition of the Positive Approaches Journal features research and articles on the following:

  • Data Discoveries details that while more research is needed, initial research suggest a higher prevalence of trauma among individuals with autism, which underscores the importance of trauma-informed care and resilience-building.
  • The Importance of Place in Trauma-Informed Care: A Wellness Approach details how environments can play a role in trauma and how combining trauma-informed care with positive supports that focus on strengths and resilience can improve care for trauma-affected individuals. 
  • Understanding Complexity: The Convergence of Disability and Trauma in Clinical Practice provides practitioners with concise guidelines on diagnosing trauma, implementing trauma-informed care, and selecting trauma-specific treatments appropriate for individuals with disabilities. 
  • A Review of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Trauma Interventions details positive approaches in treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, with the use of expressive interventions in individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or and behavioral health challenges. 
  • Key Elements of Trauma-Informed Care and Potential Misconceptions identifies key elements and potential misconceptions related to trauma-informed care.  
  • Bridging Theory to Practice: Trauma Proficient Services for Youth with Autism and Developmental Disabilities highlights that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are more likely to experience trauma than neurotypical children and details the resources available for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.

The journal is a collaboration of DHS’ Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It collects resources, observations, and advancements in mental and behavioral health in order to better serve people in their communities.

Read this edition of the Positive Approaches Journal

CHIP Sends Letter to LEAs: 2024 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Flyers Now Available (August 14, 2024)

On August 13, 2024, CHIP sent the following letter to LEAs throughout the commonwealth.

Dear School Superintendent/Chief Administrator:

Pennsylvania Act 84 of 2015 requires that public and nonpublic schools receive electronic notice with general information about the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) on an annual basis no later than August 15. The attached flyer was created and should be shared with every parent or guardian of every student enrolled in the local education agency (LEA) during the school year.

CHIP covers uninsured children and teens up to age 19 – and no family earns too much to qualify. With nearly 128,000 uninsured children in Pennsylvania, this is great news for families!

CHIP provides quality, comprehensive health insurance for routine doctor’s visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care, eyeglasses, mental health, and much more. CHIP covers uninsured kids who are not eligible for Medical Assistance. For many families, CHIP is free – for others, it is low cost.

Please forward the CHIP flyer to each school under your jurisdiction at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. The flyer can be sent directly through email, posted to a school website with a link distributed to students’ families, printed and distributed with other information that is being sent as caregiver packets, or prepared for students to take home. By distributing the flyer at the beginning of the school year, we help ensure that all students, including those new to your LEA and incoming kindergarten classes, receive the information about the program as soon as possible if they are in need.

The flyer and many more resources can be found on the CHIP website at www.CHIPcoversPAkids.com, under CHIP Resources.

The CHIP program is pleased to partner with LEAs in helping families find affordable health insurance for their children. After all, healthy kids are better students!

Thank you for your assistance in helping families in need find comprehensive health insurance coverage for their children.

Sincerely,
Nicole M. Harris, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program