Advice on 504 plan

[Skymama]

Over the summer my 16 year old son was diagnosed with Crohn's. I knew we needed to start getting a 504 plan set up for him as soon as possible. When the High School staff returned from summer break we called and left a message for his counselor. Waited a few days and then sent an email. We figured she must be super busy with forecasting and were very patient about it. When our son got his schedule in the mail and it was not correct we went in and had a meeting with her. Along with fixing his schedule we informed her of his Crohn's and asked to be set up with a 504 plan. She was very reluctant. "He really doesn't need it. All the teachers will accommodate his needs." We were insistent and she finally agreed to set up the meeting, and said she would get back to us about it because they are so busy at the start of the school year with scheduling. We also visited all of his teachers and the school nurse. The school nurse was great and said he should definitely get a 504 plan. So we waited and his counselor never got back to us. Today I emailed her and CC'd the principle and the school nurse.

"(counselor name),
I am just following up on our previous attempts to get our son, (his name), set up with a 504 Plan. We are now two months into to the school year and we still have not been set up with a meeting or heard back from you at all regarding this matter. My wife and I have taken our own time to meet with each of his teachers to explain his situation so that they understand what his specific needs are at this time. All have been understanding and have already talked with Skyler about this too and know that he might have to get up from class and leave, miss days of school, etc… With that being said, this still doesn’t address the totality of a 504 Plan.
We have been lucky so far with this school year however he could have a setback at anytime, such is the nature of this disease. It is not advised to leave school issues related to his illness to a time of crisis, when he is in the hospital or at home acutely ill, when all of our attention should be spent on the medical issues. At a time like that, it is going to be very beneficial to have a plan already in place.
The attachment we have included is an outline of a 504 plan intended for a student who has Crohn's Disease and includes everything that Skyler needs as a student with a chronic disabling illness. Please let us know as soon as possible when he can be set up on his 504 Plan.

Thank you,"

Now my questions are:
Am I being to pushy or rude? I tried to sound nice about it and I know these things take time to set up.
If she still ignores us what is my next step?
Does sending this as an email count as requesting a 504 plan in writing?
If you've had a problem setting up a 504 plan what steps did you take?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[Mehita]

You are not being rude.

I believe you contact your state Dept of Ed next if you get no response. I'm guessing by cc'ing the principal, you'll get a response.

Sending an email does count as a written request. I believe they are legally supposed to respond within 10 days. All request must get an evaluation at a minimum.

Send them this link:
http://www.seattlechildrens.org/videos/about-your-students-crohns-disease-ulcerative-colitis/

 

[kimmidwife]

I second Mehita, this should count as in writing and the board of Ed is the next step.

 

[my little penguin]

First - the clock only starts ticking from when you requested a 504 evaluation in writing to the district 504 coordinator.
Call the superintendent 's office they will tell you.
Most school's have x amount of days to respond to your 504 eligibility request.
Typical is 60 days not counting summer break.
You need to have documentation from his Gi stating he has Ibd and what accommodations he feels your child would need . The school does not have to honor these btw.
The school can have an eligibility meeting without you being present so make sure you document that in your request .
The dept of ed does not handle 504 since dept of Ed is state. They should have the number of days etc covered on their website though.
504 is federal .
If your school is not cooperating you can call the OCR( office of civil rights) since section 504 falls under the Americans with disabilities act amendment .

Having a disease does not automatically qualify you for a 504 plan.
It needs to be proven that the disease affects a major life function ( most agrees crohn's does this by impairing the Gi tract but not a given).

So look at your state dept ed , find your 504 coordinator for the district etc....

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm






Good luck !!!

 

[my little penguin]

Oh and send the letter certified mail if need be.
Typically when I started just mentioning "Ada" the meeting was set up quickly for DS.

 

[Jmrogers4]

Jack's school when he was first diagnosed the principal basically told us the same thing. He doesn't need a 504 we'll just tell all the teachers, lucky for me the school psych happened to walk into the room and the principal asked her if he needed one and she said absolutely.
Seems like it was even more important for us to have once he transitioned to secondary school and had many different teachers/activities and we had periods of remission followed by flares. Most of the teachers were very accommodating but you always seem to have that one and the 504 was a huge help there. Also with any testing done, Jack just took the ACT explore (pre-pre ACT) and had stop the clock during the testing to drink his shakes and use the restroom per his accommodations.
I just posted a video about why kids need a 504 that Seattle Children's made for principals, teachers, coaches etc.
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=57288. Might give you some other points to bring up if not just send it on to them to view.

 

[Jenn]

I have not had any difficulty, sorry to hear you are. Get a letter from his GI spelling out his condition, they need it to establish the plan. Is there a head counselor you could speak to? I would go straight to the principal too. Insist that yes, a plan is needed, as a safety net. Teachers are wonderfully accomodating, but they need to know there is a real need and the 504 is the proper documentation. Good luck!

 

[Skymama]

Thanks for all the great advice. She finally got back to us today and we have an appointment next week. The school nurse also called me today and she's going to be at the meeting to support our effort. :runaway: