Special Diets

Meal Modifications and substitutions to the regular meal will be made for children who are unable to eat school meals because of their disabilities when the need is certified by a licensed physician.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 (Section 504) and the American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provide regulatory guidance which defines a disability as any physiological disorder or conditions, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting the body’s systems or any mental or psychological disorder which affects one of the major life activities.  Individuals who take mitigating measures to improve or control any of the conditions recognized as a disability are still considered to have a disability and require accommodation.

The Texas Department of Agriculture requires school nutrition programs (SNP) to provide reasonable accommodations for reimbursable meals at no additional charge, snacks, and a la carte sales when (1)  a student’s disability restricts his/her diet and (2) the disability is supported by a medical statement signed by a medical authority that is licensed by the State to write medical prescriptions or meal accommodation requirement in a student's individualized education program (IEP)  as authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Action (IDEA) or Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 (Section 504).

Before any dietary modifications can be accommodated, the following must be completed by a licensed medical authority by the state on the Harlingen CISD Physician Request Form:

1. Explanation of the student’s disability which includes a description that is sufficient to allow the CE to understand how this condition restricts the student’s diet and what major life activity is affected by the disability.
2. Description of the accommodation:
   1. Food items or ingredients to be omitted
   2. Special dietary supplements
   3. Food items or ingredients to be substituted
   4. Other accommodation information as appropriate

Until the completed Physician Modification Form is submitted and implemented, the responsibility for feeding the child with special dietary needs remains the parent/guardian responsibility.

1. Obtain a copy of the adopted Harlingen CISD Physician Request for Diet Modification (current year).  This form may be found on the hcisd.org website or it can be obtained from the school nurse.
   1. Special Diets
2. Have a licensed medical authority complete and sign the Physician Request for Diet Modification form. 
3. Return the completed form to your school nurse.
4. The nurse will provide the form to the Child Nutrition Department Coordinator, Dietitian to review and process.

Please note that forms that are incomplete or missing information will take longer to process.

All Physician Requests for Diet Modification Forms should be sent directly to the appropriate school nurse.  The school nurse will then provide the forms to the Child Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dietitian to review and process the requested accommodations. 

Please be mindful that if requested modifications deviate extensively from the traditional menu, it may take time to process the submission. 

The Child Nutrition Department can:

1. Restrict specific menu items based and clearly provided on the Physician Request Form that to the best of our knowledge contain the allergen to omit.
2. Make appropriate menu substitutions to support the Physician Request Form.
3. Adjust modifications when updates impact the original submitted Physician Modification form.

The Child Nutrition Department cannot:

1. Interpret, revise, or change a physician order.
2. Provide dietary accommodation that are not supported with a completed Physician Request for Diet Modification Form.
3. Provide dietary accommodation for students without a disability.

Our department cannot accept written notes from parents requesting diet modifications as an approved form of documentation. 

Any changes that may result in an existing diet modification must be documented in writing by a licensed physician to protect the student and avoid any type of misunderstandings among child nutrition program staff.  Documented changes should be provided to all necessary departments to maintain uniformity in our services provided.

Student Diet Modifications forms that are active from prior year and that will not require any edits do not need to be submitted on an annual school year basis.