Can the Offer versus Serve (OVS) provision be used to accommodate a meal modification? No. Schools operating OVS must ensure children with disabilities have the opportunity to select all required food components for the meal. For example, a child who has Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance must have a choice of a bread/grain item that is gluten-free. The SFA may not use OVS to eliminate a specific food component for a child with a disability; in this case, the SFA must offer a grain substitute for a child who cannot consume gluten. In situations where a medical statement is necessary, how often must the medical statement be updated? FNS does not require SFAs to obtain updated medical statements on a regular basis. When SFAs receive updated medical information, they must ensure that medical statements on file reflect the current dietary needs of participating children. SFAs may require updates as necessary to meet their responsibilities, but should carefully consider the burden obtaining additional medical statements could create for parents and guardians when establishing such requirements. If the medical statement does not provide sufficient information for the SFA to accommodate the disability, what should the SFA do? child’s When an SFA receives a medical statement signed by a State licensed healthcare professional requesting a meal modification to accommodate a impairment, the SFA must provide child’s a reasonable modification to Program meals. If a medical statement is provided and does not fully explain the modification needed, the SFA should immediately contact the parent child’s or guardian for guidance and ask the family to provide an amended medical statement as soon as possible. However, clarification of the medical statement should not delay the SFA from providing a meal modification. SFAs should follow the portion of the medical statement that is clear and unambiguous to the greatest extent possible, while obtaining additional information. For more information, see question 31. If a child no longer needs a meal modification, can the SFA stop providing meal modifications without the State licensed healthcare professional’s approval? FNS does not require SFAs to obtain written documentation from a State licensed healthcare professional rescinding the original medical order prior to ending a meal modification. FNS recommends, however, that SFAs maintain documentation when ending a meal accommodation. For example, an SFA could ask the parent or guardian to sign a child’s statement indicating their child no longer needs a meal accommodation before ending the accommodation.
Can the Offer versus Serve (OVS) provision be used to accommodate a meal modification? No. Schools operating OVS must ensure children with disabilities have the opportunity to select all required food components for the meal. For example, a child who has Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance must have a choice of a bread/grain item that is gluten-free. The SFA may not use OVS to eliminate a specific food component for a child with a disability; in this case, the SFA must offer a grain substitute for a child who cannot consume gluten. In situations where a medical statement is necessary, how often must the medical statement be updated? FNS does not require SFAs to obtain updated medical statements on a regular basis. When SFAs receive updated medical information, they must ensure that medical statements on file reflect the current dietary needs of participating children. SFAs may require updates as necessary to meet their responsibilities, but should carefully consider the burden obtaining additional medical statements could create for parents and guardians when establishing such requirements. If the medical statement does not provide sufficient information for the SFA to accommodate the child’s disability, what should the SFA do? When an SFA receives a medical statement signed by a State licensed healthcare professional requesting a meal modification to accommodate a child’s impairment, the SFA must provide a reasonable modification to Program meals. If a medical statement is provided and does not fully explain the modification needed, the SFA should immediately contact the child’s parent or guardian for guidance and ask the family to provide an amended medical statement as soon as possible. However, clarification of the medical statement should not delay the SFA from providing a meal modification. SFAs should follow the portion of the medical statement that is clear and unambiguous to the greatest extent possible, while obtaining additional information. For more information, see question 31. If a child no longer needs a meal modification, can the SFA stop providing meal modifications without the State licensed healthcare professional’s approval? FNS does not require SFAs to obtain written documentation from a State licensed healthcare professional rescinding the original medical order prior to ending a meal modification. FNS recommends, however, that SFAs maintain documentation when ending a meal accommodation. For example, an SFA could ask the child’s parent or guardian to sign a statement indicating their child no longer needs a meal accommodation before ending the accommodation.