Guerneville School District is a sponsor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Child Nutrition Programs. The Guerneville School District provides benefits to all eligible individuals without discrimination in accordance with Federal civil rights laws and USDA policy, as governed by https://www.fns.usda.gov/cr/fns-instruction-113-1. The USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Below are the procedures for receiving and processing complaints alleging civil rights discrimination within FNS school meal programs.
Accepting a Complaint
- Civil rights complaints should be directed to:
- Joelene Morasch, Superintendent
14630 Armstrong Woods Road
Guerneville, CA 95446
707-869-2864
jmorasch@guernevilleschool.org
- In the event a complainant makes the allegations verbally or in person and refuses (or is not inclined) to place such allegations in writing, the person to whom the allegations are made must write up the elements of the complaint for the complainant.
- An anonymous complaint must be handled the same as any other complaint.
- If complaints forms are used, notify complainants where they can be obtained. A complaint form is not a prerequisite for accepting a complaint.
- There will be no attempt by Guerneville School District to resolve the complaint, nor will the complaint process be a prerequisite for accepting a complaint.
- Any person or representative alleging discrimination based on a prohibited basis has the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action. Only the Secretary of Agriculture may extend this time under special circumstances.
Transcribing a Complaint
The Civil Rights Complaint Coordinator should maintain a complaint log that must include, at a minimum, the following information:
The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division recommends that the Civil Rights Complaint Coordinator collect, in addition to the information above, the following information:
- The nature of the incident or action that led the complainant to feel discrimination was a factor, and an example of the method of administration that is having a disparate effect on the public, potential eligible persons, applicants, or participants.
- The basis on which the complainant believes discrimination exists. The basis for nondiscrimination is race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
- The names, telephone numbers, titles, and business or personal addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory action.
- The date(s) during which the alleged discriminatory actions occurred or, if continuing, the duration of such actions.
Forwarding a Complaint
To file a program or Civil Rights complaint, please contact the state agency below:
Child Nutrition Programs
Civil Rights and Program Complaint Coordinator
California Department of Education
Nutrition Services Division
1430 N Street, Room 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
or 800-952-560
CNPComplaints@cde.ca.gov
Forward all complaints alleging discrimination within 5 calendar days of receipt to the USDA:
USDA
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Phone: 866-632-9992
Fax: 833-256-1665
program.intake@usda.gov
Note: The USDA will investigate and process complaints alleging discrimination.
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