Petition: Simplify Access to Life-Saving Medications in Duval County Public Schools
To: Duval County Public Schools School Board, Parents and Healthcare Providers
 
THE ISSUE
Currently, Duval County Public Schools requires both parent AND healthcare provider signatures on medication authorization forms, plus medications in original, unopened containers. This policy exceeds Florida state requirements and creates unnecessary barriers for families.

Many insurance companies won't cover duplicate prescriptions, forcing families to pay out-of-pocket for school medications – an impossible burden for many families. As a result, children go without access to potentially life-saving medications when they need them most.

One Policy. One Small Change. Lives saved.

We are calling on the Duval County School Board and Superintendent to align DCPS policy with Florida state guidelines by requiring only:

1.     The parent's written permission

2.     Medication in its original, labeled container

Florida state law only requires "the student's parent shall provide to the school principal a written statement which grants to the school principal or the principal's designee permission to assist in the administration of such medication" and that medication "shall be received, counted, and stored in its original container."

Our current DCPS policy creates additional burdens that exceed state requirements. For families facing financial hardship, the extra paperwork and doctor's visits compound the expense for an additional inhaler, EpiPen, or other medication-- becoming another obstacle to keeping their children safe.

THE IMPACT
This simple change would:

·       Eliminate unnecessary doctor visits

·       Reduce paperwork burdens for families and physicians

·       Most importantly, ensure more children have access to life-saving medications at school

According to the CDC, asthma affects over 4.6 million children under age 18 in the United States. For these children and others with serious medical conditions, immediate access to medication can be the difference between a routine school day and a life-threatening emergency.

PERSONAL REFLECTION
As both an Emergency Medicine physician and parent of a child with asthma, this issue is deeply personal to me. I've treated children who experienced severe asthma attacks and allergic reactions that could have been prevented with proper medication access at school.

Several years ago, an 8-year-old arrived in the ER by ambulance from school with a severe asthma attack. I'll never forget his eyes – the pure terror as he fought for each breath. Despite our interventions, he was admitted to the ICU, where he narrowly avoided being placed on a ventilator.

The cause? He had no access to his rescue medication at school.

This is not an isolated incident. Many children across our district face unnecessary barriers to accessing their medications.

Healthcare providers: We especially encourage you to identify yourself in the comments to lend your professional perspective.

Families: We invite you to share your own experiences with medication access challenges in the comments section below.

OUR REQUEST
Every child deserves to be healthy, safe, and ready to learn. For children with asthma, severe allergies, or other medical conditions, access to medication can be the difference between a normal school day and a life-threatening emergency.

We, the undersigned parents, healthcare providers, educators, and concerned community members, respectfully request that Duval County Public Schools revise its medication administration policy to align with Florida state requirements, eliminating the need for healthcare provider signatures on medication authorization forms when medications are provided in properly labeled original containers.

We request this change be implemented by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

By signing this petition, you're helping remove an unnecessary barrier that keeps children from having the medications they need, when they need them most. Your support can help prevent emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and missed school days—and potentially save lives.

Please sign and share this petition to help us reach our goal of 500 signatures.

Remember, it's One Policy. One Small Change. Lives saved.

 
This petition is sponsored by Being Well Jax, a community initiative focused on all our kids healthy, safe, and ready to learn. For more information, contact Dr. Heidi Ashbaugh at BeingWellJax@gmail.com