Communication with school staff
It is important to communicate with school staff regarding your child’s dietary restrictions. This communication should happen before your child attends their first day and include everyone who will come in contact with your child.
Ideas for first meeting with school staff:
- Include Principal, School Nurse, Food Service Director for parish, Cafeteria Manager, and Teacher as well as anyone else your Principal may feel should be included.
- Provide written information about your child’s disorder.
- Name of disorder
- Brief description
- Type of dietary restrictions
- Discuss plan for lunch and snacks at school. For example, will child bring lunch or eat food provided by school? How are snacks handled? Are birthdays celebrated at school with a special treat?
- Determine if and when formula may need to be included in your child’s day at school.
- Discuss creating an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan to have a written plan of action by the school and expectations of everyone involved (parents, school, etc.).
- Many meetings will occur during your child’s schooling. Make sure to continue to communicate and educate school staff every year.
Federal Regulations regarding meals for children with special dietary needs
Several Federal regulations require schools to offer nutrition services to children with special needs. These include: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandates that students with disabilities not be excluded from any program which receives Federal Financial Assistance (section 504). Further, as part of the USDA’s nondiscrimination regulation, federal law requires that schools make substitutions in foods for children considered to have a disability, and whose disability restricts their diet (7 CFR, Part 15b.3). Additionally, USDA regulation explains school requirements and specifies that schools must serve special meals at no extra charge to students whose disability restricts their diet (7 CFR, Part 15b.26 (d). This means that schools need to work with families to provide appropriate meals for children with special dietary needs; however, regulations do vary by state.
Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs (uncg.edu)
Explanation of the differences between and Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan