STATE OF EDUCATION | HEALTH & WELLNESS | PARENT Q&A

Does Your Child Have Access to the Support Services They Need at School?

When your child needs help during the school day, do you know who is available—and what happens if that person is absent?

Support looks different for each child. It may mean help with a health condition, counseling, transportation, speech therapy, or another service in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). These questions can help you find out how support works at your child’s school.

Who helps my child if they become sick or need health support?

Ask the school whether a nurse is available and who helps students when the nurse is not there. If your child has a health condition, ask who knows about their needs, what staff members are prepared to do, and how you will be contacted if a problem arises.

My child has an IEP. How can I tell whether the services in it are being provided?

Look at your child’s current IEP and note the services it lists, how often they should be provided, and any questions you have. Ask your child’s case manager or service provider how you will receive updates. If your child tells you a service did not happen, ask the school to help you understand what occurred.

What if a provider is absent or a service is missed?

Ask who will provide the service while the usual provider is unavailable and how the school will address any interruption. Keep a simple record of the dates, the service involved, what the school tells you, and anything you notice about your child’s experience or progress.

Who should I contact if it keeps happening?

Start with your child’s teacher, case manager, or the person responsible for the service. If the concern continues, put your questions in writing to the campus administrator and ask for a meeting with your child’s IEP team. In Texas, this is called an ARD meeting.

What should I bring to the meeting?

Bring your child’s IEP or support plan, your notes, relevant messages from the school, and a few specific examples. You might ask: “What support is my child receiving now? What happens when the usual provider is unavailable? How will we know whether the plan is working for my child?”

The question for every family is simple: Does my child have access to the support they need to be healthy, safe, present, and able to learn?

We want to hear what families are experiencing. If you share publicly, please leave out your child’s private medical and educational information.

Discovering U | State of Education | Health & Wellness