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Resource | Policy Revised Prototype Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

This memorandum provides information on the revised Prototype Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals. USDA updated the prototype application to improve the user experience for applicants by adjusting the reading level, streamlining the application instructions, and by adding clarity to the mailing instructions to reduce the number of applications sent to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

SP16-2023
05/11/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Application of Bostock v. Clayton County to Program Discrimination Complaint Processing – Policy Update

The FNS Civil Rights Division issues this memorandum to provide direction to state agencies and program operators regarding processing program complaints that allege discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance from FNS.

CRD 01-2022
05/04/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2018-0031 Addressing Civil Rights Issues in D-SNAP Planning and Implementation

FNS is issuing guidance on addressing vulnerable populations in response to state requests to describe lessons learned from recent disasters and practices state agencies can use in planning and implementing D-SNAPs. 

07/31/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0060 SNAP - Issues with Certification Materials Submission Instructions

This memo discusses SNAP applications and other documents being sent by clients to the USDA Office of Civil Rights instead of the appropriate state SNAP office. The memo outlines best practices states can use to make submission instructions clearer for clients.

10/11/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0019 FMCS Mediation Notice for Age Act Cases

 This memorandum provides guidance on the processing of discrimination complaints under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The Age Act is one of the federal civil rights laws enforced by FNS Civil Rights Division  that prohibits age discrimination in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

04/07/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0051 Updated Nondiscrimination Statement for WIC State Agencies

This policy memorandum transmits changes from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights regarding the appropriate nondiscrimination statement to use on Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) materials.

2016-2
10/26/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0050 Updated Nondiscrimination Statement for FMNP State Agencies

This policy memorandum transmits changes from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights regarding the appropriate nondiscrimination statement to use on Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) materials. This policy memorandum supersedes, Civil Rights Memorandum, USDA Nondiscrimination Statement Update, dated May 24, 2013, and the last issued FMNP Policy Memorandum 2010-1 dated April 15, 2010. 

2016-1
10/26/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0049 Updated Nondiscrimination Statement for SFMNP State Agencies

This policy memorandum transmits changes from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights regarding the appropriate nondiscrimination statement to use on Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) materials. 

SFMNP Policy Memorandum 2016-1
10/26/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0006 Civil Rights Training Requirements for Volunteers

This memorandum clarifies FNS policy regarding civil rights training for volunteers in CSFP, TEFAP, and FDPIR. Additional information may be found in FNS Instruction 113-1.

FD-113
01/25/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2006-0039 FSP - Implementation of New Racial/Ethnic Data Collection

On May 18, 2006, FNS published the attached final rule entitled, "Civil Rights Data Collection" in the Federal Register. The final rule implements the new racial and ethnic data collection and reporting for the Food Stamp Program to comply with the l 997 data collection standards issued by the Office of Management and Budget.

07/31/2006
Page updated: October 14, 2021