Ebook Special Dietary Needs Manual
In recent years, we have seen increasing emphasis on the importance of ensuring that children with disabilities have the same opportunities as other children to receive an education and education related benefits, such as school meals. Congress first addressed this concern in section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities in the programs or activities of any agency of the federal government's executive branch or any organization receiving federal financial assistance. For schools, these laws are enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the United States Department of Education.
Subsequently, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990 which requires that a free and appropriate public education be provided for children with disabilities, who are aged 3 through 21, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a comprehensive law which broadens and extends civil rights protections for Americans with disabilities. One effect of these laws has been an increase in the number of children with disabilities who are being educated in regular school programs. In some cases, the disability may prevent the child from eating meals prepared for the general school population. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) nondiscrimination regulation (7 CFR 15 (b)), as well as the regulations governing the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, make it clear that substitutions to the regular meal MUST be made for children who are unable to eat school meals because of their disabilities, when that need is certified by a licensed physician.
In most cases, children with disabilities can be accommodated with little extra expense or involvement. The nature of the child's disability, the reason the disability prevents the child from eating the regular school meal, and the specific substitutions needed must be specified in a statement signed by a licensed physician. Often, the substitutions can be made relatively easily. There are situations, however, which may require additional equipment or specific technical training and expertise. When these instances occur, it is important that school food service managers and parent(s) be involved from the beginning in preparations for the child's entrance into the school. This guidance describes some of the factors which must be considered in the early phases of planning and suggests ways in which the school food service can interact with other responsible parties in the school and the community at large to serve children with disabilities.
The guidance is based on the policy guidelines outlined in the FNS Instruction 783-2, Revision 2, Meal Substitutions for Medical or Other Special Dietary Reasons. Serving children with disabilities presents school food service staff with new challenges as well as rewards. This guidance presents information on how to handle situations that may arise and offers advice about such issues as funding and liability. The guidance was prepared in consultation with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education and will be periodically updated to reflect new scientific information or new statutory and program guidelines.
Content
Introduction
- School Responsibilities
Personal Responsibilities in cases of neglect
Funding Sources
Legal Concerns
Children with Disabilities
- Definition
Diet Order Sample
Most Common Disabilities found in School Food Service List is NOT all inclusive:
Diabetes
PKU
Celiac Disease
Non Disabled Children
- Definition
Diet Note Sample
Most Common conditions found in School Food Service List is NOT all inclusive:
Lactose Intolerance
Food Intolerance/allergy
Children with Religious/Ethnic needs
- Definition
List of religious groups presented here is NOT all inclusive
Muslim
Jewish
7th Day Adventist
Catholic
Glossary
Appendix
- Websites of interest
CFR
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