Back-to-School for Busy Families

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Back-to-School for Busy Families

Aug 9, 2024

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Child packing a school lunch with their family for Back to School season

by Caroline Moassessi, FAACT’s Vice President of Community Relations

Busy families managing food allergies can plan for a smooth back-to-school season—from preschool to college—while preparing for that occasional bump in the road. We know that one of a food allergy family’s superpowers is finding solutions for the hardest situations. Grow your skills by understanding your student's rights; staying engaged with recent food allergy education, tips, and information; and prioritizing your family's mental health and wellness (including yours!).

Know Your Student’s Rights

Food allergies are considered a disability in school, and your student has the right to a free and appropriate education (FAPE). Visit FAACT’s Accommodations Resource Center for details, including:

Americans with Disabilities Act: Learn about your rights to support your child’s needs in school. This section features key resources and examples of legal cases involving food allergies in preschool and college.
Section 504 Plans: Essential information about 504 plans plus best practices, a list of sample accommodations, sample doctor’s letters, and information about how to contact the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: If your student is eligible for an Individualized Education Program(IEP), FAACT has you covered! Visit FAACT’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) webpage for resources created just for you.
College Resources: Have a student heading to college? Visit FAACT’s Legal Considerations section nestled in FAACT’s College Resource Center.

We’ll leave you with our final superpower tip from FAACT’s General Counsel and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia Smith: “There are great resources out there, and I’m always available for you.” Did you know you can contact Amelia directly to brainstorm school solutions (FREE of charge!)? Email Amelia.Smith@FoodAllergyAwareness.org.

Bonus tip: Stuck in traffic? Listen to the latest FAACT’s Roundtable Podcast, including school accommodation topics.

FAACT’s School Resources

Share easy-to-understand food allergy awareness resources with teachers, coaches, and other people who will interact with your student:

FAACT’s Food Allergies and School section is your one-stop shop for medically vetted resources for your child’s school, plus free downloads and information formatted for easy printing and sharing.
To teach school staff about food allergies, FAACT offers a comprehensive FAACTs for Schools Staff Education Program featuring teacher-designed PowerPoint presentations, lesson plans, and activities.
Bullying at school is real and cam have a negative impact on students. Learn how to identify and respond to food allergy bullying in FAACT’s Bullying section.

Mental Health and Wellness

Communication is at the heart of parenting and guiding our students through school and life. Share this resource with your teen to start important conversations: How to Talk to Your Parents About Mental Health (written for teens)
Share this article with partner or other adult caregivers to explore ways to listen and address mental health: How to Listen to Your Children and Teens When They are Ready to Talk to You about their Mental Health (written for adults)
Resilience is powerful, and FAACT created a tool for younger family members. (However, we have reports of adults enjoying this tool, too!) Visit our Resilience and Food Allergies section to download FAACT’s popular ‘My Food Allergy Resilience Kit’ plus activities to help build resilience.
Check out this article packed with tips to beat the Back-to-School Blues.

Stay Engaged and Up to Date

Subscribe to FAACT’s monthly e-newsletter for current information regarding treatments, events, opportunities, and news.
Follow FAACT on social media: Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Threads, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Connect with other parents in FAACT’s Parents of High School and College Students with Food Allergies private Facebook group. This group is a safe space for parents to share experiences and seek and offer support. No solicitations or self-promotion allowed. Middle-school parents may join as observers to peek into the next school phase.