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 800-877-8339.  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: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-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:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
    
2. Fax: 202-690-7442
    
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of this 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, or 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 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

Complaint Contact Information:

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Street Address, City, State, Zip:  __________________________________________________

County:                                                             Area Code/Phone:  _________________________

Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Complaint information:

1. 1. 1. Specific name and location of the entity and individual delivering the service or benefit:
      2. 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:
      3. 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)?
      4. List the names, titles, and business addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory action:
      5. List the date(s) during which the alleged discriminatory actions occurred, or if continuing, the duration of such actions:
      6. Date complaint received:                                                                                                          
      7. Person receiving complaint:                                                                                                      
      8. Action(s) taken:

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 than 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. 14th 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.12/2021

USDA Child Nutrition Programs in Iowa

Procedures for Handling a Civil Rights Complaint

1. 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.
2. Any person claiming discrimination has a right to file a complaint 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 in #1 above must be forwarded to the address on the nondiscrimination statement.
3. 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 the description of the complaint.
4. 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); and
   • The date(s) when the alleged discriminatory action(s) occurred or, if continuing, the duration of such action(s).
5. USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six protected classes listed in #1 above, 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 than 180 days of the discriminatory act.  The link for submission of a complaint is: program.intake@usda.gov
6. 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. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319- 1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

Bureau of Nutrition and Health, IDOE, 12/2021