1. CIVIL RIGHTS REQUIREMENTS IN THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM FNS Instruction 113-1
September 19, 2017
The USDA requires Civil Rights training for all personnel participating in a federally-funded program. Just as we are providing civil rights training for you today, you are required to train all of your staff and volunteers as well. When you conduct your training, please include civil rights on a written/printed agenda and include a sign-in sheet so you will have documentation of meeting this requirement.

2. Goals of Civil Rights in Child Nutrition Programs
Treat all applicants and beneficiaries equally.
Have knowledge of rights and responsibilities.
Eliminate unlawful barriers that prevent participants from receiving meal benefits.
Ensure dignity and respect for all.

3. TYPES OF DISCRIMINATION
INTENTIONAL
UNINTENTIONAL
Engaging in intentional discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
Example: Giving one group or type larger portions or extra helpings of food.
A practice that results in discrimination but is unintentional.
Example: Not making IEF available in other languages.
Note: IEFs in other languages are available on the USDA website CACFP Income Eligibility Form - Other Languages
Discrimination is the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor or against, a person based on the group, class, or category to which that person belongs. Unlawful discrimination in any form is strictly prohibited whether a program is fully or partially funded. Unlawful discrimination can be intentional or unintentional. An example is giving one group of participants a larger portion or extra helpings of food.

4. USDA COMPLIANCE
Detailed in FNS 113-1, Section XI, Civil Rights Training
Must be scheduled annually.
Training must include:
Collection, review, and use of data
Public notification
Complaint procedures
Compliance review techniques
Resolution of non-compliance
Accommodating persons with disabilities
Language assistance
Conflict resolution
Customer service

5. 1. Data Collection, Use & Review
Income Eligibility Forms
Use
To be used by administrative staff and other officials only in compliance with 7 CFR 245.6(f) Disclosure of children’s free and reduced price meal eligibility information without parent consent is NOT permitted.
Review
Administrative Review by USDA and State Agency of IEFs
Review during the program renewal process
The USDA requires data collection pertaining to race and ethnicity to determine how effectively the programs are reaching potentially eligible persons, to identify areas where additional outreach is needed, to assist in the selection of locations for compliance reviews, and to complete required reports. Benefit level data is also required.

6. 2. Public Notification Annual Press Release can be done individually
by the sponsor or statewide by DDOE. The
press release must include:
Program availability
Complaint procedures
Non-discrimination statement
Public notification is required to inform applicants, participants, and potentially eligible persons of the program availability, program rights and responsibilities, the policy of nondiscrimination, and the procedure for filing a complaint. The Department of Education’s Nutrition Programs Office distributes an annual press release. The press release is usually distributed in an operational memo, and posted on the Department’s website. Once the announcement is distributed to the media, keep a copy on file.

7. 2. Public Notification (Continued)
Display “And Justice For All” poster in all locations where meals are served.
Include the required non-discrimination statement on all appropriate websites, CACFP materials, handbooks, etc.
Convey the message of equal opportunity in all photos and other graphics used in program related materials.
Public notification also includes displaying the “And Justice for All” poster. The poster is a tool to help you communicate the services and benefits of your program without discrimination. Also, include the required nondiscrimination statement on all appropriate websites, and materials. If you do not have room on your program materials for the entire nondiscrimination statement, you can state “Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer” to meet the requirement, (only with prior approval from the state agency).

8. 3. Complaint Procedures
Included on your CACFP materials: What if I disagree with the decision about my IEF? You should talk to sponsor officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: [name, address, phone number, ]. NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT : Must be included on the IEF to inform households how to file a complaint. RECEIPT OF COMPLAINT: Send to State Agency to forward to USDA MARO.
The USDA established the nondiscrimination statement with two components: the nondiscrimination statement and complaint filing procedures. Include these statements on eligibility or program participation materials, outreach literature, websites, and menus. The statements are also listed on the Income Eligibility Forms.

9. USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
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) 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: 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) 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 ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3) This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Always be sure to use the most current statement, available on the DDOE nutrition website. DDOE will send an operational memo if we receive an updated version from USDA.

10. 4. Compliance Reviews State Agency:
Check for compliance during Administrative Reviews
And Justice for All posters displayed
A disproportionate number of IEFs being denied to minorities
Check for compliance during Application Renewal Process
IEF containing non-discrimination statement with complaint procedures
USDA MARO:
Checks State Agency for compliance when conducting Management Evaluation.
On-going Civil rights compliance is conducted prior to application approval, also during administrative and monitoring reviews. Do potentially eligible persons and households have an equal opportunity to participate in your program?

11. 5. Resolution of Non-Compliance
Any findings that require corrective actions must be made or the sponsor will not be compliant.
This could result in loss of federal funds.
Is applicant and participant racial/ethnic data being collected and maintained on file as required? Have you provided civil rights training for all staff and volunteers? Is there equal access?

12. 6. Reasonable Accommodations
Sponsors participating in the CACFP are required to make reasonable substitutions or modifications to the meal pattern for participants with a disability who are unable to consume the meals offered to participants without disabilities.
Ensure access to everyone!
Modifications can include serving an alternate selection that meets the meal pattern requirement.

13. DISABILITY
“Handicapped person” is defined in 7 CFR 15b.3(i) as any person who has “a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.” The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act broadened the list of “Major Life Activities” for purposes of identifying individuals with disabilities and added a new category called “Major Bodily Functions”, 42 USC 12102(2)(B). This law continues to include as “Major Life Activities”: “caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.” As amended by the ADAAA, Major Life Activities now also includes “Major Bodily Functions” such as: “functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, cardiovascular, endocrine, and reproductive functions.” It is important to point out that individuals who take mitigating measures to improve or control any of the conditions recognized as a disability, are still considered to have a disability and require an accommodation.

14. 7. Language Assistance
Income Eligibility Forms available in other languages link located on DOE’s website under “CACFP Forms”
To ensure Civil Rights compliance, sponsors are required to provide all program materials in languages other than English, as appropriate. If you need assistance in this area, please let us know. If we don’t have the IEF in the language you need, we can always check with USDA.

15. 8. Conflict Resolution
Have a written policy that outlines what to do when dealing with unacceptable behavior and conflicts.
Make the policy available to all staff.
Employee Handbook
How many of you have a written policy that outlines what to do about unacceptable behavior or conflicts? Do you have it included in your employee handbook, and participants handbook? Are you effectively communicating your policy with providers?

16. 9. Customer Service
Treat ALL children, parents, guardians, participants, and staff with dignity and respect. They are your customers!
Avoid Sarcasm!
Be Polite!
Be Patient!
Be Empathetic!
Why is this important? Treating sponsors, program participants, etc. with respect and dignity through excellent customer service saves you time and minimizes opportunities for complaints, and can save you money, time, and staff resources. This can be accomplished by exercising good listening skills by being attentive to needs, learning to empathize with your sponsors and providers, responding to questions in a non-threatening manner, using a positive clear, calm voice and tone. Also, recognizing that our diverse customers have varied needs and few resources.