Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Chapter 12 - Accommodating Special Dietary Needs in the School System
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 specifies that food service program
administrators must serve special meals at no extra charge to students whose
disability restricts their diet (8). There is no provision for additional federal
reimbursement for the added expense. However, these costs are legitimate program
costs that can be paid for out of the food service account, which includes federal
reimbursement for meals served for these students. If federal reimbursements are
insufficient, alternative funding sources may also be available from Medicaid and
special education to cover some of these costs. School officials should explore all
possible funding sources.
Nutrition Team
The team for a student with special nutritional needs often includes the principal and
teachers, the food service director and/or staff, the child’s parents, and other health
professionals and specialists. The team considers the needs and abilities of the
individual student. The food service staff:
• applies basic guidelines for food preparation to meet those needs
• refers to resources, including parental input, on the proper techniques for
preparing regular menus in a special way
• with the rest of the team, evaluates whether or not the meal plan is meeting the
special needs of the student
140 Nutrition Interventions for Children With Special Health Care Needs