Accommodating disabilities in school meal programs

-
School food authorities (SFA) are obligated to accommodate student disabilities in school meal programs. These disabilities include physical and mental impairments. These could include immune, digestive, neurological, or bowel function disorders. Food allergies are also considered as a disability, but food intolerances aren’t recognized as a disability unless it limits a major life activity. It does not matter on the severity of the allergy, SFA are still required to make modifications for the students’ needs. However, parent preferences of student meals, like preference of gluten free diet does not require a modified meal. Student dislike or preferences of food does not require schools to oblige.
Schools can still be reimbursed for a modified meal if it meets the lunch program or school breakfast program nutrient requirements. If the modified meal is not within the meal pattern, it can still be reimbursed if the student has a medical statement from a state licensed health care professional describing the physical or mental impairment requiring a modified meal. The revised guidance no longer requires the use of the term “disability” or “disabled.” There is no need for an updated medical statement as a child moves into a new grade. Schools can have extra costs sometimes to accommodate these modified diets but there is not additional reimbursement for these.
Schools are working closely with families and students to keep children healthy and safe. However, schools are not required to provide all the nutrition information for all modified meals. This is a problem for some diets like diabetic diets if the students are unable to count their own carbohydrate intake. Schools are doing a great job working with students with disabilities that effects their meal plans. There is always room for improvement and modifications though that can continue to be made.
-LS

United States Department of Agriculture. (2017). Accommodating disabilities in the school meal programs: Guidance and questions and answers (Q&As). Retrieved from https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/nslp/SP26-2017os.pdf


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more