Annual Training (as required in PPM161): training related to prevalent medical conditions must occur at a minimum annually, for school staff who have direct contact with students with medical condition(s). This training should take place within the student's first thirty days of school, where possible, to ensure the safety and well-being of the student, and should be reviewed as appropriate.
Individual Plan: a term used in Sabrina’s Law and Ryan’s Law that refers to a student’s medical plan. In PPM 161, an Individual Plan is called a Plan of Care.
(See also: Plan of Care.)
Health Care Professional (as defined in PPM161): refers to a member of a College under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (e.g., medical doctor, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, pharmacist).
Medical Emergency: a critical situation requiring an immediate response, such as administering emergency medication and contacting Emergency Medical Services
Medical Incident (as defined in PPM161): a circumstance that requires an immediate response and monitoring, since the incident may progress to an emergency requiring contact with Emergency Medical Services.
Occasional Staff: refers to employees who work on a temporary or as-needed basis, rather than holding permanent positions (e.g., occasional teachers, occasional education workers).
Plan of Care (as defined in PPM161): a form that contains individualized information on a student with a prevalent medical condition. Under Sabrina’s Law and Ryan’s Law, this is referred to as an Individual Plan.
(See also: Individual Plan.)
Prevalent Medical Conditions (as defined in PPM 161): unless otherwise stated, prevalent medical conditions are limited to asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and anaphylaxis, when diagnosed for a student by a medical doctor or a nurse practitioner.
Self-Advocacy for students with Medical Conditions: the ability of students to understand and communicate their needs, rights, and preferences related to their medical condition(s) in a manner that is appropriate to their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. It involves students taking an active role in ensuring that they receive the necessary supports and accommodations to manage their health, while also advocating for their personal safety, dignity, and well-being in school settings. The ability to self-advocate develops over time and can vary based on a student’s developmental stage, requiring different levels of support and guidance depending on the individual’s capacity to navigate their medical needs and related school environments.
Self-Management of Medical Conditions (as defined in PPM161): can be understood to exist along a continuum where students' cognitive, emotional, social, and physical capacity and stage of development are determinants of their ability to confidently and independently manage their medical condition(s). The students' journey to reach their full potential along the self-management continuum is not linear and can require varying levels of support over time. A student's capacity for self-management may be compromised during certain medical incidents, and additional support will be required. As a student's needs change, the Plan of Care would need to be adjusted accordingly.
School board policies (as described in PPM161): school boards are required to develop, revise, implement, and maintain policies to support students with prevalent medical conditions, while respecting their obligations under all applicable legislation, policies, and collective agreements. School board policies should also take into account local needs and circumstances, such as geographical considerations, demographics, and cultural considerations, as well as the availability of supports and resources, including school staff, within the school board and the community.
Volunteers (as defined in OPASSE): a responsible adult (e.g., Educational Assistants, Retired Teachers, Co-op Students, Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Teacher Candidates) approved by the Principal/Designate who is under the direction of a teacher and has been instructed on their monitoring responsibilities. Participants should refer to their school board’s policy on volunteers assisting with student’s physical activities.
Additional Terms:
Participants: any school or school board staff and volunteers taking the eLearning module. Participants are encouraged to refer to their school board policies and procedures while going through the eLearning module.
Principal: refers to the principal of a school or their designate.
Students (as defined in PPM161): includes children in Kindergarten and students in Grades 1 to 12.
School board(s) and board(s): refer to district school boards and school authorities.
School Staff: refers to all school staff, including occasional staff.