710.1E1 SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM NOTICES OF NONDISCIMINATION

 

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 whoa re deaf, hard or hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

 

To file a program complain of discrimination, complete the USDA Progrma Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at:  https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discimination-complaint, 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:

• Mail:  U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

• Fax:  202-690-7442
• Email:  program.intake@usda.gov

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

 

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of the CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, of employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9.  If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14^th St., Des Moines, IA  50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website:  https://icrc.iowa.gov;.

710.1E2 CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT FORM

 

Complain Contact Information:

 

Name:  _______________________________________________________________________

Street Address, City, State, Zip:  ___________________________________________________

County:  __________________________________Area Code/Phone:  ____________________

Email Address:  ________________________________________________________________

 

Complaint information:

 

• Specific name and location of the entity and individual delivery the service or benefit

 

 

• Describe the incident or action of the alleged discrimination or give an example of the situation that has a discriminatory effect on the public, potential program participants, or current participants:

 

 

• On what basis does the complainant feel discrimination exists (race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, sexual orientation religion, gender identity, political party affiliation, actual/potential parental/family/marital status)?

 

 

• Lis the names, titles, and business addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory action:

 

 

• Date complaint received:  ___________________________________________________

 

 

• Person receiving complaint:  _________________________________________________

 

 

• Action(s) taken:  __________________________________________________________

 

The USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six protected classes of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability for complaints received within 180 days.  Civil rights complaints must be submitted to the USDA Office of Civil Rights within five calendar days of receipt and no later thatn 180 days of the discriminatory act.  The link for submission of a complaint is:  program.intake@usda.gov

 

In Iowa, protected classes also include sexual orientation, gendr identity, religion, or creed and complaints can be filed up to 300 days of occurrence.  The address for Iowa Complaints is:  Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grims State Office building, 400 E. 14^th St., Des Moines, IA  50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website:  https://icrc.iowa.gov/

 

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

710.1R1 SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

 

Procedures for Handling a Civil Rights Complaint

 

Civil rights complaints related to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Care Snack Program, Summer Food Service Program, Seamless Summer Option, or Child and Adult Care Food Program are written or verbal allegations of discrimination based on USDA protected classes of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability.

 

Any person claiming discrimination has a right to file a complain within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.  See below for additional Iowa Civil Rights information.  A civil rights complaint based on the protected classes listed above must be forwarded to the address on the nondiscrimination statement.

 

All complaints, whether written or verbal, must be accepted by the School Food Authority (SFA)/Sponsor/Organization and forwarded to USDA at the address or link on the nondiscrimination statement within 5 calendar days of receipt.  An anonymous complaint should be handled the same way as any other.  Complaint forms may be developed, but their use cannot be required.  If the complainant makes the allegations verbally or in a telephone conversation and is reluctant or refuses to put them in writing, the person who handles the complaint must document thedescription of the complaint.

 

There must be enough information to identify the agency or individual toward which the complaint is directed and indicate the possibility of a violation.  Every effort should be made to obtain at least the following information:

• Name, address, and telephone number or other means of contacting the complainant
• The specific location and name of the organization delivering the program service or benefit
• The nature of the incident(s) or action(s) that led the complainant to feel there was discrimination
• The basis on which the complainant feels discrimination occurred (race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability)
• The names, titles, and addresses of people who may have knowledge of the discriminatory action(s)
• The date(s) when the alleged discriminatory action(s) occurred or, if continuing, the duration of such action(s)

 

USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six protected classes listed above, for complaints received with 180 days.  Civil rights complaints must be submitted to the USDA Office of Civil Rights within five calendar days of receipt and no later thatn 180 days of the discriminatory act.  The link for submission of a complaint is program.intake@usda.gov

 

In Iowa, protected classes also include sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or creed and complaints can be filed up to 300 days of occurrence.  The address for Iowa complaints is:  Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14^th St., Des Moines, IA  50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website:  https://icrc.iowa.gov/