Caring for Children with Food Allergies

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a trusted resource for current research and best practice as it relates to young children. The AAP has a food allergy emergency action plan template that can be printed and completed by a doctor for a child with a food allergy. Emergency plans should be shared with anyone caring for the child.

The mission of Allergy & Asthma Network is to advance patient-centered research and advocate for better outcomes, access to care, education, and treatments that lead to improved health and quality of life for everyone impacted by asthma, allergies, and related conditions. 

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the oldest asthma and allergy foundation since 1953. It centers its efforts on expanding community services and promoting health equity through programs, resources, advocacy and tools for patients, caregivers and health professionals.

The Belay App connects parents and caregivers to protect children with food allergies. Parents effortlessly create their child’s food allergy profile and easily share the child’s profile and life-saving information with anyone caring for their child. 

This resource explains what food allergies are, how Head Start programs address food allergies, and describes food allergy diagnoses, food intolerances, and other considerations. Additional resources are provided for family newsletters.

The Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, part of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, finds answers and shapes policies surrounding food allergy, asthma and other allergic conditions.

EAF is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring equitable access to life-saving resources for food allergy and asthma management in childcare, schools, and businesses, regardless of socioeconomic status or cultural background.  The Elijah’s Law toolkit is available for download on the website. 

This website includes information and resources for early childhood providers and parents . The website contains FAQs, a 10-minute anaphylaxis training, posters to hang on walls, and dedicated section for food allergies in early childhood for those who live and work with a child who has food allergies. Parents will find helpful tips, emergency action plan templates (English and Spanish), education videos, information on upcoming webinars and advocacy opportunities.

This resource provides guidance on food allergies to those working in schools and early care and education programs. Information includes the prevalence of food allergies in children, managing school allergies at school, and a toolkit to help schools implement the Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in order to prevent and manage severe allergic reactions in schools. Additional resources and references on children and food allergies are listed.

FAACT’s mission is to educate, advocate, and raise awareness for all individuals and families affected by food allergies and life-threatening anaphylaxis. The website offers practical for families including information on behavioral health and food allergy camps.

All CFAAR research informed education materials, resources and videos have been gathered in one digital e-book for the different developmental ages and stages from early childhood through college.

The Belay Food Allergy Training & Preparedness Program offers schools and daycares tools to prevent an anaphylactic reaction while also increasing confidence in staff to respond in the event of an emergency.

MOCHA is a group of parents sharing information and supporting each other. MOCHA started in Chicago, yet members are from around the United States. They have a free newsletter and provide resources and advocacy opportunities.

This 2-minute video depicts conversation strategies for parents seeking to explain their child’s food allergy to another adult.

This free, online, and on demand training is appropriate for all adults and parents working and living with young children in any setting. It provides necessary information, strategies, and resources to address food allergies in early childhood spaces. PD/CE hours are available for early childhood professionals. 

This 20-second video depicts a food allergy education song for young children. Sing the STOP. LOOK. ASK. GO. food allergy message to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes when you want to talk about food allergy safety steps with young children at home or at an early childhood program.