1. Civil Rights Training Office of School Support Services
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
March, 2014

2. The FNS website for civil rights http://www. fns. usda. gov/cr/justice
The FNS website for civil rights provides information about civil rights regulations:
The non-political rights of a citizen; 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
1964: Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
1972: Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex.
1973: Americans with Disabilities Act Title II which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
1975: Title IX amendments to 1972 act to include section 504 prohibiting discrimination based on disability.
1975: Age Discrimination Act which prohibits discrimination based on age.
The FNS website for civil rights provides information about civil rights regulations:
Civil Rights Instruction provides more detailed guidance for civil rights regulations in the specific FNS program appendices.
1964: Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
1972: Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex.
1973: Americans with Disabilities Act Title II which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
1975: Title IX amendments to 1972 act to include section 504 prohibiting discrimination based on disability.
1975: Age Discrimination Act which prohibits discrimination based on age.

3. FNS Instruction 113-1 Race Color National Origin Sex Disability Age
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Instruction 113-1
Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement
Civil Rights FNS Instruction provides more detailed guidance for civil rights regulations in the specific FNS program appendices.
Protected Categories for School Nutrition Programs:
Race
Color
National Origin
Sex
Disability
Age
The FNS Instruction was issued in FNS Instruction gives additional civil rights information for use with child nutrition programs.
Civil Rights Instruction 113-1, issued Nov. 8, The purpose of this instruction is to establish and convey policy and provide guidance and direction to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and its recipients and customers, and ensure compliance with and enforcement of the prohibition against discrimination in all FNS nutrition programs and activities, whether federally funded in whole or not.

4. Types of Discrimination
Disparate Treatment
treated differently or less favorably than others because of race, color, national origin, age, sex and/or disability
Disparate Impact
Focuses not on discriminatory intent, as disparate treatment does, but on discriminatory consequences
Reprisal/Retaliation
Someone is treated differently as a result of filing a complaint
Three types of discrimination are:
Disparate Treatment when someone is treated differently or less favorably than others because of race, color, national origin, age, sex and/or disability.
Disparate Impact - focuses not on discriminatory intent, as disparate treatment does, but on discriminatory consequences. For example, households with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and/or limited literacy may have more difficulty staying enrolled in and maintaining eligibility for child nutrition programs due to literacy and language barriers that are not being addressed by ensuring all communication with households is provided in a uniform format, and to the extent practicable, in a language that the adults in the household can understand.
Reprisal/Retaliation - after someone files a complaint and, as a result, is treated differently. For example, this could apply to employees who are interviewed as part of a civil rights complaint and then treated differently because they agreed to be interviewed. 4

5. Civil Rights Compliance Goals
Equal treatment for all applicants and beneficiaries under the law
Knowledge of rights & responsibilities
Elimination of illegal barriers that prevent or deter people from receiving benefits
Dignity and respect for all
The goals of civil rights compliance are Equal treatment for all applicants and beneficiaries under the law
Knowledge of rights & responsibilities
Elimination of illegal barriers that prevent or deter people from receiving benefits
Dignity and respect for all

6. Discrimination: 4 D’s
….When an individual or group of individuals are:
Delayed receiving benefits or services that others receive
Denied benefits or services that others receive
Treated Differently than others to their disadvantage
Given Disparate treatment something which does not seem discriminatory, but has a discriminatory impact in practice

7. Civil Rights Training
The Sponsor is required to provide civil rights training annually. This is for all staff that interact with program applicants or participants (i.e. servers, volunteers, site leads, monitors) and their supervisors.
Provide the dates of training
Who attended these trainings?
Provide attendance/sign in sheet
What topics were covered by the training?
Provide supporting documentation such as agenda/outline for training .
The next 2 slides indicate the topics required for civil rights training, necessary documentation for sign in sheet and agenda. Please use the most current Civil Rights information on the school nutrition website. For example you could use this presentation as long as you have an agenda, sign in list, dates of training and attach a print out of the presentation.

8. Civil Rights Training for Staff
Documentation for civil rights training must show the following subjects were covered:
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
These are the topics that must be covered. A PowerPoint is available on the school nutrition website in the training section that can be used to complete this requirement. Please make sure you have a sign in sheet and an agenda/outline.

9. Collection and Use of Data
Maintain on file the estimated percentage of potential eligible beneficiaries by ethnic/racial category for the area served by the provider/district
Outreach efforts can be targeted
Collect and maintain the ethnic/racial category of each beneficiary annually
Racial/Ethnic Data Form
In general, any data collected about beneficiaries should be kept secure and confidential
Maintain all records for three years
In addition to training, schools are responsible for collecting civil rights data.
Maintain on file the estimated number of potential eligible beneficiaries by ethnic/racial category for the area served by the provider/district
Racial Identity and Ethnic Identity of students and food service staff
Maintain “Denied Application Data”. This data is used to determine if certain racial/ethnic groups have been disproportionately denied benefits.
During the administrative review questions will be asked and documents will be reviewed to determine if the school district is in compliance with the Civil Rights Regulations.

10. Collection and Use of Data
Helps determine if there are disparities between the potentially eligible population and the actual participating population or shows discrimination
Outreach efforts can be targeted
In general, any data collected about beneficiaries should be kept secure and confidential
The next few slides will be information about racial/ethnic data collection.

11. Racial and Ethnic Categories are two separate questions
Ethnicity : Choose one or the other
Hispanic or Latino
Not Hispanic or Latino
Race: Individuals can choose more than one race
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
White
Keep in mind that for SFSP this is a visual
observation and not a self-selection
Read categories and explanation on slide.

12. Resources for Racial and Ethnic Identity Data
United States Department of Commerce United States Census Bureau Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Census Statistics and Demographic Data
Other resources that may be helpful to you.

13. Public Notification
Prominently display the “And Justice for All” poster
Inform potentially eligible persons, applicants, participants and grassroots organizations of programs or changes in programs
Provide appropriate information in alternative formats for persons with disabilities
Prominently display the “And Justice for All” poster.
Inform potentially eligible persons, applicants, participants and grassroots organizations of programs or changes in programs
Provide appropriate information in alternative formats for persons with disabilities 13

14. Public Notification
Include the required nondiscrimination statement on all FNS and agency publications, web sites, posters and informational materials
Convey the message of equal opportunity in all photos and other graphics that are used to provide program or program-related information
Sponsors must send out their own media release and it must meet these requirements.
Include non-discrimination statement on public materials. 14

15. Effective Public Notification
Outreach to underserved populations
Use appropriate media – be creative
Civil Rights Information
Display non-discrimination poster
Use other languages as needed and diverse graphics
Effective Public Notification means
Outreach to underserved populations
Using appropriate media – be creative
Providing Civil Rights Information
Displaying non-discrimination poster
Providing materials in languages other than English as needed and
Using graphics to represent diversity 15

16. Nondiscrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at or at any USDA office, or call (866) to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , by fax (202) or at
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) ; or (800) (Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
This is the correct non-discrimination statement. USDA is in the process of updating the poster.

17. Nondiscrimination statement
It is acceptable to use the short version of the non-discrimination statement. The statement should read:
“USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer”
Please note that the print size cannot be smaller than the text in the document.
In all other cases materials regarding school nutrition programs that are produced for public information, public education, or public distribution, (this includes websites), must include the complete nondiscrimination statement from the previous slide.
Note: there have been a lot of questions about using the short version on menus, which is acceptable. The short version is “USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer”. Please note the print must be the same size as the print on the document.

18. “And Justice For All”
This poster must be placed in a prominent area at each site where participants and potential participants have ready access
Effective Public Notification means
Outreach to underserved populations
Using appropriate media – be creative
Providing Civil Rights Information
Displaying non-discrimination poster
Providing materials in languages other than English as needed and
Using graphics to represent diversity 18

19.
The website for obtaining the And Justice for All poster is :

20. Limited English Proficiency
Is there a need for services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) households?
If so, what services does the SFA provide?
document your SFA’s information about their LEP services.
Reference FNS Memo SP
for more information and resources
The SFA must have LEP services available. The SFA should be aware of resources available through the USDA website (applications and letters in approximately 31 languages), website, and information posted on the MDE website (Spanish version of applications and notification letters). Do not use children as interpreters and make sure adults that are willing to interpret for individuals with limited English proficiency understand confidentiality.

21. Language Assistance See www.lep.gov for more information and resources
LEP.gov is the Website of the Federal Interagency Working Group on Limited English Proficiency
LEP.gov promotes a positive and cooperative understanding of the importance of language access to federally conducted and federally assisted programs. This website supports fair, reasoned and consistent implementation of Executive Order 13166, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of1964, and the Title VI regulations regarding language access. This site also acts as a clearinghouse, providing and linking to information, tools, and technical assistance regarding limited English proficiency and language services for federal agencies, recipients of federal funds, users of federal programs and federally assisted programs, and other stakeholders. 21

22. Language Assistance Children should not be used as interpreters
Volunteers may be used, but make sure they understand interpreter ethics – particularly confidentiality
Language Assistance must be provided. Children should not be used as interpreters. Volunteers may be used, but make sure they understand interpreter ethics, particularly confidentiality. 22

23. Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs
How are students with special dietary needs accommodated?
Provide documentation
Special Dietary Needs
The federal regulations state that "schools shall make substitutions in foods . . for students who are considered handicapped and whose handicap restricts their diet. Schools may also make substitutions for non-handicapped students who are unable to consume the regular lunch (breakfast) because of medical or other special dietary needs."
Determine how the SFAs/schools are accommodating students with special dietary needs and what their process is, i.e. do they have any guidelines to follow. Information on the MDE website can be part of the technical assistance.

24. Guidance for Special Dietary Needs www.michigan.gov/schoolnutrition
Information about Special Dietary Needs for Students is located on the school nutrition website in the guidance section. Click on Special Dietary Needs.

25. Complaints Alleging Discrimination
Create a sponsor procedure for receiving and processing complaints alleging discrimination within FNS School Meal Programs.
Prototype forms are available at under Guidance and Civil Rights
Be aware of the bases for which complaints may be filed: Race, Color, National Origin, Age, Sex, and Disability
Never discourage groups or individuals from filing complaints or from voicing allegations of discrimination
Know where to file a complaint
These forms also are available on your flash drive. The SFA needs to be aware and ready if an individual wants to file a complaint alleging discrimination in the child nutrition programs. There are prototype forms available on the school nutrition website under Guidance and Civil Rights. Do not discourage anyone with a complaint, always take this seriously and provide help.

26. Civil Rights Complaint Procedure
Civil Rights Complaint Received by Sponsor
(Verbal or Written)
Civil Rights Complaint Documented in Civil Rights Complaint Log
Sponsor gives Complainant Civil Rights Complaint Form and/or Sponsor Completes Civil Rights Complaint Form with Complainant
Complainant Returns Civil Rights Complaint Form to Sponsor.
Sponsor Forwards Civil Rights Complaint Form to MDE within 5 Working Days
List address of (State Agency) MDE contact on the complaint form.
These are the steps that need to be included in a Civil Rights Complaint Procedure. A graph of this procedure is available on the SNP website in the civil rights section under guidance.

27. Resources for writing a Procedure for Complaints Alleging Discrimination
FNS Instruction (Pages 30 – 35)
Include:
Complainant alleges discrimination:
Complainant completes form
When the complaint is given verbally the recipient of the call transcribes complaint.
Anonymous complaints are accepted
All complaints alleging discrimination must be reported to the State Agency (MDE)
MDE must process within 90 days

28. Conflict Resolution Try to remain calm Try to explain situation
Get help, especially with threats or violence
Use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques
Alternative Dispute Resolution includes processes and techniques that act as a means for disagreeing parties to come to an agreement short of litigation. It is a collective term for the ways that parties can settle disputes, with (or without) the help of a third party. 28

29. Situation
Individuals come to an outreach activity at a site. They do not speak English. You cannot understand them and have no idea what language they are speaking. You write a note to give to someone saying that they need to return with an interpreter.
Is this proper or should something else be done?
Can’t require this. Find out what language and accommodate. Can use “I speak” cards from the language assistance web site. 29

30. Situation
A complaint is received from a school that someone who came to conduct a review was rude and disrespectful. The complaint states that the reviewer’s tone was demeaning and generally unpleasant.
Are there civil rights issues here and if so, what? Does it make a difference if the site and reviewer are different races, national origins or genders?
Must show if rude behavior was alleged because of protected class.
Can ask, why do you think this occurred? Was there enough explanation provided? 30

31. Situation A school designates a “Polish Table” so
that the children whose first language
is Polish can sit together and feel comfortable.
Should the SFA get an award for being innovative or be counseled for possible civil rights problems?
SFA should be counseled. It would be National origin discrimination.
Be careful of implied segregation, such as boy table and girl table. This is not so good, but if it is for discipline or legitimate reasons, it might be okay. 31

32. Situation
A parent of a child alleges program discrimination by a school site and wants to file a complaint. You don’t think that the school site discriminates.
What should you do?
If discrimination is alleged, provide the complaint information. 32

33. Situation
A food service director is very angry that someone filed a frivolous discrimination complaint and took up a lot of her time and made her look bad. She tells her co-workers to watch out for this “troublemaker.” The next time the person visits, he encounters “attitude” from the food service director and the lunch room monitors.
What are the civil rights violations described here?
This is reprisal and retaliation. There is also a confidentiality issue. 33

34. Situation
A parent complains about the choices provided during breakfast and demands that gluten-free products be provided for her child.
What must the provider do, and how does this relate to civil rights?
This relates to civil rights if it is a disability defined by a physician special rule that provides accommodating food when there is a disability. If it is short of a disability, the provider may respond. 34

35. Situation
Representatives from an ethnic minority group contact you and insist a sponsor provides ethnic food choices.
Is their complaint legitimate and why?
This request does not have to be accommodated. There is flexibility in menus.
The sponsor may want to provide requested food choices to please their customers. 35

36. Technical Assistance/Resources www.michigan.gov/schoolnutrition
To begin with technical assistance this is your first stop for current information located at under Guidance and Civil Rights.

37. Questions? School Nutrition Programs 517-373-3347