A. The Special Meals Prescriptions form is a means to ensure children with disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in school meals offered through the Child Nutrition Program, as is available to all other children. The form specifies those foods that the child "can't have, food suggestions for "replace with" and "special food preparations" necessary for a child with disabilities who has special dietary needs. The Special Meals Prescriptions form allows for accommodations to be made to the Child Nutrition Program meal patterns.

A. Making accommodations for participation in school meals is required by the federal government for children who meet the guidelines of having a disability as defined in 7 CFR 15b.3(1) (Code of Federal Regulations- Title 7: Agriculture) "a physical or mental handicap which substantially limits one or more major life activities". This provision includes "eating". Determining if a child has a disability that restricts his/her ability to consume the meals offered to non-disabled students must be decided by a licensed medical authority.

A. A recognized medical authority is a primary care physician, a specialty care physician or medical personnel working under a licensed medical authority (e.g. nurse practitioner).

A. The Special Meals Prescriptions form provides a document for the medical authorities to define the nature of the child's disability, the reason why the disability prevents the child from eating regular meals, and the omissions, substitutions, & modifications required for the child to safely and effectively participate in meals offered by the Child Nutrition Program.

A. A child is considered to have a special dietary need when his/her disability prevents the child from eating meals prepared for the general population. Special dietary needs can include, but are not limited to: added or reduced calories; thickened liquids; omitting, substituting, and modifying food textures to accommodate a feeding and swallowing disorder; substituting foods due to a life threatening allergy; substituting food for a liquid formula.

A. Yes. If your child requires a Special Meals Prescriptions form to safely access the school lunch program, then it is to be a part of your child's IEP or 504 Plan.

A. Children who have a physical disability which does not affect their learning abilities but does prevent them from accessing the same educational opportunities as other children, including safe participation in the Child Nutrition Program, the plan of care should be a 504 Plan (refer to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Of 1973). Examples of physical disabilities that may require nutrition accommodation include but are not limited to: a food allergy with a life threatening reaction (anaphylactic reaction); metabolic disease (such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, PKU); muscular Special Meals Prescriptions-FAQ 2 dystrophy; heart disorders; celiac disease, complications from cleft palate, etc. Eligibility for all 504 Education Plans requires medical documentation of the child’s disability. Such medical documentation must be updated annually in order for the 504 plan to be accepted by the local school department and enacted by the school. If you believe your child qualifies for a 504 plan, contact your child’s school administrator or the local school administration office to obtain a parent/guardian information packet.

A. Food allergies such as those which cause a child to have an anaphylactic reaction, and digestive conditions such as celiac disease, qualify as a physical disability and are eligible for accommodation under a 504 plan.

For non-life threatening allergies or intolerances, it is up to the discretion of each institution if and for what conditions they will provide substitutions. The Special Meals Prescriptions form must be completed if you want your child's institution to determine if your child's allergies or intolerances are aligned with the policy and procedure.

Institutions are not required to make modifications to meals based upon the food choices or preferences of a family or child.

A. An "accommodation" includes those necessary food omissions, modifications, and substitutions, that allow the child to participate in meals offered through the Child Nutrition Program.

a. Can't Have (Omit) refers to a special food item that needs to be removed from your child's menu.

b. Replace With (Substitutions) refers to exchanging a food on the menu determined to be not safe for another food suggestion of similar nutritional value that is safe for your child.

c. Special Food Preparation (Modification) refers to taking a food offered on the menu and changing the consistency so that it is safe for your child to eat.

A. For those children determined eligible for food omission, modification and/or substitutions, the special dietary request is documented on a Special Meals Prescriptions form. The medical professional determines the child's disability status. From the determination come foods that the child "can't have", food suggestions to "replace with" and "special food preparations" and/or Safe Eating Plan based upon: The child having nutrition concerns such as the need for increased calories, reduced calories, foods that must be avoided due to food allergy, etc. The child having a feeding and swallowing disorder, such as chewing difficulties, problems with swallowing liquids, etc. For example, the form outlines safe consistencies of food and drink on the Special Meals Prescriptions form and safe methods for presenting food and drink, appropriate positioning, any special feeding equipment, etc. on the Safe Eating Plan section.

A. There will be no additional charge for children with an identified disability who qualify as having a special dietary need that requires omission, substitution, and modification and/or special supplement, Special Meals Prescriptions-FAQ 3 for those meals and snacks offered through the Child Nutrition Program. Meals must also be provided at a reduced price or free for children who meet the financial guidelines.

A. Return the Special Meals Prescriptions form to the special education director for your child's institution. This information is available through your child's institutions website or School Administrative Unit (SAU) office. This person is responsible for distributing the signed form to the persons caring for your child at school.

A. Just as with Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 Educational Plans, a Special Meals Prescriptions form needs to be updated annually.

A.

a. at your local institution

b. NH Department of Education Website

c. Nutrition, Feeding and Swallowing Program

A. Nutrition, Feeding and Swallowing Program offers families of children with special healthcare needs, community-based nutrition and feeding and swallowing services to assist with these concerns. For further information, contact the Nutrition, Feeding and Swallowing Program at: 603-606-5453 ext 158. These services do not require financial eligibility and are provided at no "out of pocket" costs to families. In addition, there are some pediatric rehabilitation departments of local hospitals and private practitioners who can provide this technical support.

A. A form is provided below. If the link does not work or you need assistance, please contact Anna Muncy (amuncy@hdsd.org or 603-464-1160 or your school building's nurse to get a form. These forms are constantly being updated by the state. Please note we work to keep the most updated form available, but the form does and may change.