Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs

Overview

School Nutrition Programs webpage  |   CACFP webpage  |   SFSP webpage

All schools and institutions that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs must comply with the federal civil rights laws. The Child Nutrition Programs include the school nutrition programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Overview of Civil Rights

Civil rights refer to the rights of “personal liberty” guaranteed by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Acts of Congress and to the fair and equitable treatment of all customers and employees. There are numerous civil rights acts and laws that were enacted over the course of the last 50 years, beginning with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act led the way and addressed discrimination in relation to race, color, and national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The goals of civil rights include:

  • eliminating barriers that prevent or deter people from receiving benefits of a government sponsored or funded program;
  • providing equitable treatment to all in the delivery of programs and services to all applicants, participants, and beneficiaries of a federal program;
  • ensuring that all applicants and participants understand their rights and responsibilities; and
  • showing respect and dignity to all.

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Instruction 113-1: Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement summarizes the civil rights requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs.

Required Civil Rights Training

The USDA requires annual civil rights training for all staff interacting with applicants or participants of the Child Nutrition Programs so that individuals involved in all levels of administration of programs that receive federal financial assistance understand federal laws, regulations, instructions, policies and other guidance.  Sponsors must maintain documentation to indicate that staff training covers the subjects below.

  • Collection and Use of Data
  • Effective Public Notification Systems
  • Complaint Procedures
  • Compliance Review Techniques
  • Resolution of Noncompliance
  • Requirements for Reasonable Accommodations of Persons with Disabilities
  • Requirements for Language Assistance
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Customer Service

Nondiscrimination Statements (USDA and CSDE)