710.1R1 School Food Program - School Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaints

700 NON INSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES

710.01R1 - School Food Program - School Nutrition Civil Rights Complaints

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 S
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 the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action. A civil rights complaint based on the protected classes
listed in the USDA nondiscrimination statement.
3. All complaints, whether written or verbal, must be accepted by the School Food Authority (SFA), Sponsor, or Organization and forwarded to USDA within five (5) calendar day
the same manner as any other complaint. Complaint forms may be developed; however, their use cannot be required.
If the complainant makes the allegations verbally or in a telephone conversation and refuses or is reluctant to place the complaint in writing, the person receiving the complaint s
4. There must be sufficient information to identify the agency or individual against whom the complaint is directed and indicate the possibility of a civil rights violation. Every effo
Name, address, 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 believe discrimination occurred;
The basis on which the complainant believes discrimination occurred (race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability);
The names, titles, and addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory actions; and
The date(s) when the alleged discriminatory action(s) occurred or, if continuing, the duration of the actions.
5. USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed above and therefore serves as the first point of contact for complaints involving the protected classes iden
days of the alleged discriminatory action.
Civil rights complaints must be submitted to the USDA Office of Civil Rights within five (5) calendar days of receipt and no later than 180 days from the alleged discriminatory.

Complaints may be submitted to USDA by:
Email: program.intake@usda.gov
Website: https://www.usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement
6. In Iowa, protected classes also include sexual orientation, religion, and creed. Complaints involving these protected classes may be filed within 300 days of the alleged occurren
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321-1270
Phone: 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416
Website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/
Adopted: 6/16/2025
Bureau of Nutrition and Health, IDOE, 12/2021