D isabilities Deidra Strom MS RDN LD REMEMBER NSLP and SBP aim to serve all children regardless of background School Food Authorities must comply with the USDA regulations ID: 752415
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Slide1
Accommodating Children with Disabilities
Deidra Strom, MS, RDN, LD
Slide2
REMEMBER…
NSLP and SBP aim to serve all children, regardless of background
School Food Authorities must comply with the USDA regulations
Students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the NSLP and SPB
Schools must recognize the importance of ensuring access to meal benefitsSlide3
Main Message for Child Nutrition
MAIN FOCUS
:
work collaboratively with families and the district
Schools
must understand their obligation to provide reasonable modifications for children with
disabilities
Take doctors’ notes at FACE VALUESlide4
Recent Guidance
September 27, 2016, USDA FNS SP 59-2016: Policy Memorandum on Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs
Requires SFAs to make
reasonable
modifications to accommodate children with disabilities
Includes providing special meals, at no extra charge.Slide5
Recent Guidance
May 1, 2017, USDA FNS SP 26-2017: Accommodating Disabilities in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Questions and Answers (Q&As).
The Q&As discuss common situations which have raised questions in the past and provide direction for schoolsSlide6
USDA Guidance Applies To:
National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Afterschool Snack component of the NSLP
Seamless Summer OptionSlide7
Responsibilities
School Food Service
is specifically responsible for providing the necessary meal modifications
School
District’s
is responsible for accommodating children with disabilities rests with theSlide8
Public Notifications
Schools are encouraged to make the process of requesting a meal modification as simple and straightforward as possible
Include when sending out free and reduced applications
Post a flyer at the entrance of the school and/or school cafeteria
Include in student handbooks,
District websitesSlide9
Meal ModificationForm
Families need to know when to submit documentation
Not required annually*Slide10
Modifications within the Meal Pattern
If meals are reimbursable…
Medical Statement is
not
required
But documentation could be beneficial
Also helpful to substitute staff members
Example: student is allergic to one fruit or vegetable – simply switch out the fruit or vegetable with another Slide11
Modifications Outside of the Meal Pattern
Meals are
STILL
reimbursable
But, a medical statement is
REQUIRED
must be signed by a State licensed healthcare professional
Physicians
Chiropractors
Podiatrists
Nurse Practitioners
Dentist
Physicians Assistant Slide12
The Medical Statement
Must include:
Information about the child’s disability and how it restricts their diet.
An explanation of what must be done to accommodate the child’s disability
The food(s) to be omitted
R
ecommended alternatives
Health professionals signatureSlide13
Brand Name Requests
When a modification request indicates a brand name item:
In most instances, a generic brand is sufficient
Unless the brand name is medically necessary
The family can affirm the brand name changeSlide14
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) & 504 Plans
A SEPARATE MEDICAL STATEMENT IS NOT
REQUIRED IF…
IEP or 504 Plan includes the information required in the medical statement
The school obtains written medical verification of the disability during the IEP / 504 Plan processSlide15
Understanding the Medical Statement
Work closely with the 504 Coordinator and other designated officials
Ensure the medical statement is clear
When a medical statement is unclear, contact the parent/guardian and coordinate with the school nurse and/or 504
Coordinator
Follow the medical statement to the best of your ability until you receive clarification. Slide16
Reimbursement While Waiting for a Medical Statement
School officials must document the initial interaction with the family
Must follow-up with the family if the school does not receive the requested medical statement and maintain a record of this contact
Schools should continue to follow-up until the family submits a medical statement supporting the modification Slide17
Offer versus Serve
At schools participating in OVS:
Children with disabilities must have the option to select all food components/items
Example: a child with Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance must have a choice of a bread/grain item that is gluten-free. The SFA may not use OVS to eliminate a specific food component for a child with a disability.Slide18
Special Seating Arrangements
Safety Trumps Stigma
Must not segregate children with disabilities on the basis of convenience
In limited cases, it may be appropriate for children to sit at a separate table
A student requiring a large degree of assistance from an aide
A more isolated eating area for children with severe food allergiesSlide19
Tracking Dietary Intake
Medical statement may require a school to provide nutritional information for food options
Should develop a cycle menu in collaboration with the child’s guardian, the school nurse, and/or the child as age appropriate
Nutrition information could be provided for the foods on the cycle menuSlide20
Teamwork
Most effective team will include:
School food service professionals
School administrators
School medical personnel
Classroom teachers and aides
Support personnel…therapist
Parents or guardians and children (when age appropriate)Slide21
Non-Disability Situations
Schools are encouraged to consider children’s cultural, religious & ethical preferences
Accommodating children’s preferences helps maintain participation
However, choosing to accommodate food preferences is a local decision
Creative menu planning & OvS can accommodate most requestsSlide22
Resources
Child Nutrition Unit website
CNU-18-023
CNU-18-025
Institute of Child Nutrition webinars, SOPs & resources
USDA Guidance for Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs Appendices
Definitions
Glossary of Acronyms
Checklist for Managing Food Allergies
Additional Resources for Districts and Schools
ADE Child Nutrition Unit Area Specialists
District 504 Coordinator and Special Education professionalsSlide23
Consulting the Child Nutrition Unit
Circumstances often vary, and each situation should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Districts and schools may always call the
Child Nutrition Unit
for additional guidance
(501) 324-9502Slide24
Questions?!?
Merry Christmas!!!!