Everett Public Schools

Meals without Discrimination: 

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 based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against have the right to file a complaint with the district or directly to the USDA. Food & Nutrition staff are expected to assist in the collection and documentation of civil rights complaints, and to escalate complaints accordingly.  

Procedure for Handling Complaints of Discrimination 

1. Complaints of discrimination must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.  

2. Complaints of discrimination may be written or verbal. Use of a form is not required for a person filing a complaint. If a person is unwilling, unable, or not inclined to put the complaint in writing, the person taking the complaint shall do so. (Link to Complaint Form included below.)  

3. Complaints of discrimination should contain as much of the following information as possible:  

a. Name, address, email address, and telephone number or other means of containing the complainant.  

b. The specific location and name of the entity providing the benefits.  

c. A description of a specific action that caused the complainant to believe that discrimination was a factor.  

d. Basis on which a complainant feels that discrimination occurred (race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation to prior civil rights activity).  

e. Names and titles, if known, and addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the discriminatory action.  

f. The date(s) of the alleged discriminatory actions occurred or the duration of such action.

4. Complaints of discrimination should be given to the Director of Food & Nutrition Services to be recorded in the district Civil Rights Complaint Log. Complaints that are discriminatory in nature will be forwarded to the Chief Nutrition Officer of Child Nutrition Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Chief Nutrition Officer will forward to the Food & Nutrition Service, Western Regional Office, San Francisco.

5. Individuals who would like to submit a Child Nutrition Program civil rights discrimination complaint directly to USDA should complete a Form AD-3027 (link below), or USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (link below). Complaints may be filed 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: 

A. Mail: 

    Department of Agriculture  

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights  

    1400 Independence Avenue, SW  

    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 

B. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 

C. Email: USDA Program Intake 

Child Nutrition related complaints received by the District Compliance Officer: 

Everett Public School’s district Civil Rights Compliant Officer (or their designee) shall forward any compliant related to discrimination in the Child Nutrition Programs to the Director of Food & Nutrition. The district reserves the right to record and handle any complaint received by the district according to district policy. The Director of Food & Nutrition shall be responsible for forwarding all complaints to the appropriate OSPI officer. 

Resources: 

Civil Rights Complaint Form

Civil Rights Complaint Log – Everett Public Schools