Civil Rights

Child Nutrition program operators and sponsors must follow all civil rights regulations to ensure all eligible persons receive program benefits in a non-discriminatory manner. Civil rights are the nonpolitical rights of citizens; the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and acts of Congress.

Civil Rights Training

Training Guides

Training Resources

Training Videos and Webinars

Civil Rights Training Videos in English and Spanish

This recorded webinar covers the civil rights requirements in the Child Nutrition programs and satisfies the annual civil rights training requirements.

Civil Rights - English:

Civil Rights - Spanish:

Non-Discrimination Statement & And Justice for All Poster

Nondiscrimination Statement

And Justice For All Poster

And Justice for All Poster

*Note: Sponsors may print and post the current And Justice for All Poster until new posters are distributed

image of poster with statue of liberty and non discrimination statement

Civil Rights Complaints

Complaint Procedure Requirements & Template

Summer Food Service Program Civil Rights

The following resources are only applicable to the Summer Food Service Program.

Special Dietary Needs

USDA's non-discrimination regulation (7 CFR 15b) and the regulations governing NSLP and the School Breakfast Program mandate 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.

Overview information:

What School Employees Need to Know:

Medical Statement Forms

Medical Statement Instructions and Requirements: English
Medical Statement for Meal Modification: English, Spanish
Dietary Preference Form for Meal Modification: English, Spanish
Discontinuation Form: English, Spanish
Letter to Parents: English, Spanish

Letters to Parents

Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs document

The Food Allergy Book

Fluid Milk Substitutes

Non- Disability

Fluid milk substitutes must be nutritionally equivalent to milk. The nutrient standards for non-dairy milk substitutes are outlined in the table below.

Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk Substitutes

Nutrient	Per Cup (8 fl oz)
Calcium	276 mg
Protein	8 g
Vitamin A	150 mcg retinol activity equivalents (RAE)
Vitamin D	2.5 mcg
Magnesium	24 mg
Phosphorous	222 mg
Potassium	349 mg
Riboflavin	0.44mg
Vitamin B-12	1.1 mcg

Fluid Milk Modifications for Disability

Program operators are required to provide fluid milk substitutions requested due to a disability. To receive reimbursement when a modified meal related to a disability does not meet the meal pattern requirements, a written medical statement signed by a state licensed healthcare professional or registered dietitian must be on file. Therefore, a medical statement is required if the milk substitute requested does not meet the nutritional standards of cow’s milk as described above. The medical statement must provide information about the participant’s dietary restrictions, such as foods or beverages to be omitted and recommended alternatives.