General Information

The Child Nutrition program at Region 18 ESC is a service provided to all CEs throughout the region and is designed to provide information, technical assistance, and support for program compliance, nutrition and management. Assistance is available through workshops, training sessions, and direct on-site contact with child nutrition program personnel and administrators.

The Child Nutrition Program provides technical assistance, training and resources to CEs in order to promote effective management of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, After School Snack Program, Seamless Summer Option, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. This is in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) regulations. We seek to provide CEs, charter schools and RCCIs with the information they need to operate cost-effective programs that meet the state and federal regulations while meeting the needs of their customers.

In addition, CEs are offered the opportunity to participate in the multi-regional West Texas Food Service Cooperative. WTFSC operates two components, food purchasing and commodity processing, that assist participating members to administer fiscally sound food service operation while providing appealing, nutritious meals.

Services provided include:

Eligibility Guidance

Verification

Counting and Claiming

Meal Patterns and Dietary Specifications

Nutrition and Menu Planning

Food Production Records

Quantity Food Production and Culinary Techniques

Human Resource Development

Standardized Recipes

CPR/AED Training

Financial Management

Nutrition/Food Service Related Technology

Marketing and Merchandising

Safety and Sanitation (HACCP)

Wellness Policy

Civil Rights Training

Certified Food Manager Training and Exam

Procurement

Customized Training Services

Resource Library

Nutrition Education Courses

Provide technical assistance for the Administrative Review Process

Provide technical assistance with CADs in the SNP, SFSP, & CACFP Programs

Training Labs for application submissions and renewals to participate in the SNP, SFSP, and CACFP programs

Summer Workshops

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   program.intake@usda.gov