USDA-FNS Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs - Guidance for School Food Service Professionals

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya

Guidance for school food service professionals on accommodating children with disabilities in USDA school meal programs. Covers statutory and regulatory requirements including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA of 1990, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, plus USDA regulatory requirements. Provides instructions on meal modifications and substitutions, medical statement understanding, records management, and handling modification requests, including reimbursement and covering modified meal costs while awaiting documentation. Includes food allergy recognition, portion sizes, seating and service modifications, and related procedural safeguards, training, and food safety and sanitation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time1 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

USDA Regulatory Requirements

Meal Modifications

Modifications within the Meal Pattern

Modifications Outside of the Meal Pattern

Understanding the Medical Statement

Records Management

Declining a Modification Request

Reimbursement for Modified Meals

Covering Modified Meal Costs

Reimbursement While Waiting for a Medical Statement

Meal Modifications and Substitutions

Food Allergies

Spotting Major Food Allergens

Common Allergic Reactions

Portion Sizes

Brand Name Requests

Offer versus Serve

Meal Service Modifications

Special Seating Arrangements

Tracking Dietary Intake

Procedural Safeguards and Training

Procedural Safeguards

Section 504/ADA Coordinator and Team

Food Safety and Sanitation

USDA-FNS Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs Guidance for School Food Service Professionals United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service 7/25/2017 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,(AD-3027) found online at: [http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html](http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html), and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) [Email:](Email: program.intake@usda.gov)[ ](Email: program.intake@usda.gov)[program.intake@usda.gov](Email: program.intake@usda.gov). This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Statutory and Regulatory Requirements ......................................................................................... 7 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ................................................................................................... 7 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended ...................................................... 7 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ...................................................................... 10 USDA Regulatory Requirements .............................................................................................. 10 Meal Modifications ....................................................................................................................... 13 Modifications within the Meal Pattern ...................................................................................... 14 Modifications Outside of the Meal Pattern ............................................................................... 14 Understanding the Medical Statement................................................................................... 15 Records Management ............................................................................................................ 16 Declining a Modification Request............................................................................................. 17 Reimbursement for Modified Meals ............................................................................................. 18 Covering Modified Meal Costs ................................................................................................. 19 Reimbursement While Waiting for a Medical Statement ......................................................... 19 Meal Modifications and Substitutions

FAQs

What laws and regulations guide how schools accommodate children with disabilities in meal programs?

The document references the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, along with USDA regulatory requirements relevant to school meal accommodations.

How are meal modifications handled when a medical statement is needed?

It explains how to understand the medical statement, manage records, and what to do when declining a modification request. It also addresses reimbursement and covering modified meal costs while waiting for the medical statement.

What guidance is provided for food allergies during meal service?

The document covers food allergies, how to spot major food allergens, common allergic reactions, portion sizes, brand name requests, and offer-versus-serve considerations, along with related meal service modifications like special seating arrangements.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya