It is back to school time! For parents of food allergic kids, it is often a scary time. One of the best ways to help alleviate that fear is to obtain a Section 504 Plan for your child.
On this episode of the Parenting Food Allergies Podcast, Sue and guest Amelia Smith Murphree, in-house counsel for Food Allergy Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) and civil rights advocacy consultant, dig deep into what 504 Plans are and why they might be right for your food allergy child. The ladies discuss, among other things, how to obtain a 504 Plan and what to expect during a 504 Plan meeting.
Questions answered during this episode:
- What is a 504 Plan?
- What isn't a 504 Plan?
- How is a 504 different than an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)?
- Why are 504's important?
- How do I go about getting a 504 Plan for my child?
- What should I expect during a 504 Plan meeting?
- What is my responsibility in the 504 process?
- What kind of follow up do I need to do once one is in place?
- Are 504 meetings necessary in subsequent years?
- Why is attitude important when navigating a 504?
- The school is resisting a 504 Plan, now what?
The FAACT website has a robust section on Civil Rights Advocacy which includes a Section 504 Plan Overview and Section 504 Plan Downloads. Be sure to check it out!
About Amelia Smith Murphree
Amelia, a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, practices law in a variety of areas in her home state of Mississippi. Amelia received her B.A. in English from Mississippi University for Women and her Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi, where she concentrated on civil rights and employment discrimination.
Amelia Smith Murphree
After her son, Robert was diagnosed with food allergies, Amelia founded Food Allergic Children’s Education in Tupelo (“FACE IT”), the only support and education organization for families with food allergies in Mississippi at the time. Once she learned about the challenges students and families with food allergies face in childcare centers and schools, Amelia developed an interest in special education law. She is a 2012 graduate of William & Mary School of Law’s Institute of Special Education Advocacy. Amelia is admitted to the Bars of the State of Mississippi, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Lee County Bar Association, and Lee County Young Lawyers Association.
Amelia was the original Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy and In-House Counsel for The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (“FAACT”). In addition to maintaining her private law practice in Mississippi, she currently serves as an in-house counsel for FAACT and continues to consult on issues regarding Civil Rights Advocacy. Amelia remains dedicated to advocating for food-allergic individuals’ rights to safely and equally participate in activities alongside their non-allergic peers.
The Legal Stuff
The information contained on this website/in this podcast is intended for general, educational purposes. The reliance on any information on this website/in this podcast is solely at the risk of the user of this website/podcast. The authors of the content of this website/podcast assume no responsibility for and expressly disclaim any responsibility for damages to persons or property arising from the use of any information provided by this website/podcast.
The information on this website/in this podcast does not constitute legal advice and is not intended to substitute for obtaining advice from a duly licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. The information provided here is general in nature. The law is constantly changing. Laws vary by jurisdiction and the policies of agencies vary by state and local entities. If you have a specific legal question, you should seek the counsel of a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
The information on this website/in this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to substitute for the advise of a licensed physician or to replace the patient-physician relationship. Always discuss individual health questions and medical issues with a qualified personal physician.
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