504 vs. an Individual Health Plan

[WillowBean]

Is anyone familiar with an IHP? My son will be starting head start in the fall. We are starting to work together now so that we can have everything worked out and training done before school starts in the fall. I mentioned to the nurse that I would like to talk about a 504 plan during our meeting with the school officials, teachers, and nurse. She was hesitating about a 504 stating that they have never done a 504 and they prefer to an Individual health Plan (IHP). I have done a little research on 504 plans and found out that they can be used in preschools. I am unfamiliar with IHP’s.

[Noel]

I too am looking for this answer....I hope someone here knows!

[selketine]

An IHP sounds like just their name for a diabetes medical management plan (DMMP)- just the info needed about what the medical care should be for your son. That is...his insulin ratios, correction factors, etc. It is something they should do - in many states they are required to do - anyway.

The 504 is a part of federal law protecting your child against discrimination. This site explains the difference and gives examples of a 504 and an "IHP" which they call a DMMP:
http://diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/school/504plan.jsp

Do not confuse the IHP with and IEP which is also another part of federal law. This explains an IEP and 504: http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/school/scrights.jsp
Learning has to be impacted to get an IEP but not a 504. Most parents seek a 504 unless their child also has a learning disability.

In other words - and IHP is just a detailing of your child's medical information. They should absolutely want to do that - have that on file. It does not offer the same protections as a 504 or an IEP. You want both an IHP and 504 - in other words - one doesn't exclude the other.