Gluten Free 504 Plan for School Lunch Plan For Children with Celiac Disease, a Gluten Sensitivity or Intolerance

Did you know that school age children also experience stress while trying to manage their eating habits after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a gluten sensitivity or intolerance? Typically children do not take time off from school after receiving their diagnosis (this statement excludes children with other underlining medical issues). Like adults, they are thrown into a world where they have to constantly think about and question the origin of everything they eat.  Parents and or guardians manage meal plans at home and when eating at friends and restaurants. Unfortunately children are left to exercise their own judgment and sometimes fear feeling different when the issue of food and school are combined.
 
Someone students brown bag their school lunch while others eat food provided by the school cafeteria. The meals of these students are left in the care of school systems for approximately 5 days a week 10 months a year. This can be a source of great dietary problems for students with Celiac Disease, a gluten sensitivity or intolerance. Most school administrators, dietitians and cafeteria staff are not educated on how to identify foods containing gluten and how to ensure gluten free food is not cross contaminated. As a result of this, students could potentially continue to experience their Celiac, sensitivity or intolerance symptoms after beginning a gluten free diet because safe food is not provided and or gluten free food is exposed to glutens.  This can be the consequence of a lack of knowledge, cafeteria workers not designating a space exclusively for gluten free food and not wearing gloves.
 
Can parents and guardians resolve this issue?  Yes, your child maybe eligible for a safe food accommodation. Meal substitutions must be made for children who are unable to eat school meals because of their disability (in this instance the word “disability” is referring to Celiac Disease, a gluten sensitivity or intolerance).  Students must have their disability certified by a licensed physician such a Pediatrician or a Gastroenterologist stating that he or she must be served gluten-free food as a result of being unable to tolerate gluten. The student’s parent and or guardian should request a Gluten Free 504 Plan when submitting the medical documentation to the school. A meeting will be scheduled with the school’s dietitian and or cafeteria supervisor to develop meal plan to meet the student’s needs.  Please note it is important to ensure that the school has a clear understanding of the foods that are gluten free by providing a list (or reviewing the school’s proposed list of acceptable foods), request that you are contacted before substitutions are made and questions are directed to you.  The school should also ensure that its cafeteria staff is educated on how to safely handle gluten free food. Lastly, please make certain that you child’s school administrators assists with the transferring of the Gluten Free 504 Plan as your child progresses through elementary, middle and high school.  
 
For additional information, below is a link to the article How to Make School Lunches Safe Enough for Your Gluten-Free Child
 
https://www.verywell.com/gluten-free-school-cafeteria-lunches-563028

XOXOXOX
Dawn