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USDA Civil Rights Compliance
USDA Policy
Federal law and policy prohibits discrimination against you based on the following: race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity* and expression*), sexual orientation*, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, and political beliefs. (Not all bases apply to all programs). USDA will determine if it has jurisdiction under the law to process the complaint on the basis identified in the complaint and in the programs indicated in the complaint. Reprisal that is based on prior civil rights activity is prohibited.
Complaint Procedure
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity* and sexual orientation*), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
If at any time a parent or staff member feels as though their or their child's Civil Rights have been violated, please immediately contact the cafeteria manager at the school location, Child Nutrition Program Director, or Federal Programs Coordinator. In addition, the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form is linked below.
Talladega County Schools Civil Rights Compliance & Discrimination Complaint Procedure
Race and Ethnicity Data Collection
The Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) section of the Alabama State Department of Education is in the process of ensuring compliance with federal civil rights regulations in School Meal Programs. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) require all School Meal Program sponsors to collect race and ethnicity data of applicants and participants. The purpose of this data collection effort is to determine how effectively School Meal Programs are reaching potentially eligible students. Responses have no effect on eligibility.
To meet this requirement, School Meal Program sponsors must notify applicants and participants that (1) the purpose for collecting race and ethnicity data is to determine how effectively School Meal Programs are reaching potentially eligible students, (2) provision of this data is voluntary, (3) responses are kept confidential, and (4) responses have no effect on eligibility. Notifications must be posted on local School Food Authority or school websites no later than October 1, 2023, in a language and format that applicants and participants can understand.
There are situations when applicants or participants choose not to provide this information. It may be helpful to reiterate that their response has no bearing on eligibility and will be kept confidential. If the person does not provide the information, an alternative method of collecting the information must be used. Appropriate methods include using school enrollment data or direct certification data. The USDA has determined that making a judgment of race or ethnicity based on appearance is not reliable. It is no longer allowable for school personnel to use visual observation to identify race and ethnicity.
08/17/2023
NOTICE TO BENEFICIARIES AND PROSPECTIVE BENEFICIARIES
The USDA and eight other Federal agencies recently published a final rule entitled, Partnerships with Faith-Based and Neighborhood Organizations at 89 FR 15671 (final rule). The final rule amended USDA regulations at 7 CFR part 16 related to equal opportunity for faith-based organizations that operate USDA programs and religious protections for USDA program beneficiaries. Because the Child Nutrition Programs provide direct Federal assistance, these regulations apply to all local operators of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and Special Milk Program (SMP) (collectively the Child Nutrition Programs).
The final rule is effective on July 2, 2024, and requires that providers of direct Federal assistance, which includes Child Nutrition Programs local operators:
must provide written notice to beneficiaries of their right to be free from discrimination on the basis of religion;
must provide written notice to beneficiaries of how to report violations of these regulatory protections; and,
may provide written notice to beneficiaries on how to obtain information about other federally funded service providers available in their area.
To support implementation, the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights recently released a model written notice to beneficiaries, which should be used by Child Nutrition Program State agencies and local operators to provide the required notice. The model notice is available HERE.
Child Nutrition Program local operators must provide written notice to beneficiaries by using one or more of the methods below:
post a written notice at the service location (e.g., schools, childcare centers, community organization sites); or,
post a written notice on the local program operator website; or,
provide flyers or handouts at food distribution sites (e.g., congregate meal sites, non-congregate meal pick up locations, etc.); or,
add the written notification to the program application.
USDA will continue to coordinate with State agencies and local operators to provide more information and guidance on the written notice requirements in the near future.
07/12/2024
USDA FNS Nondiscrimination Statement (FNS)
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 , found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint 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) 632-9992. 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, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: 2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.