The 2-day workshop “Nutrition Management for Children with Special Needs in Child Nutrition Programs” grew from requests from Congress, including Senator Dole, and the USDA that the Institute “that the needs of handicapped children be addressed by the National Food Service Management Institute. Senator Robert Dole has expressed an interest that this issue be explored further by the Institute,”

“Senator Bob Dole of Kansas will be a featured speaker, emphasizing the congressional commitment that children with disabilities be given full access to school nutrition programs, facilities, and services. He has urged the Institute to set as one of its priorities, “Making school meal programs more accessible to students with disabilities.” Roundtable discussions for creating networks of resources will provide an exciting conclusion to the workshop for the over 100 people who are registered. Leaders from child nutrition, special education, and public health nutrition from regional, state, and district levels will be in attendance.”

“The time is right for us, nationally, to look at this topic,” said Dr. Josephine Martin, Executive Director of the Institute in her welcome address. “Food for children is more than something to eat. For us, it means recognizing the individual needs of children, our customers.”

“Managing nutrition for children with special needs is very close and dear to my heart. Dr. Josephine Martin and her staff are performing a valuable service in providing this forum where specialists like all of us involved in feeding special needs children can share information and resources. In fact, since the Institute began operating in 1990, it has carved a unique niche for itself in training and informing school food specialists and professionals, and its networking activities have promoted an ongoing dialogue on child nutrition issues,” said Robert Washington, Deputy Administrator, Special Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Dr. Martin, Sen. Dole and staff at the Special Needs Conference.

The information gathered from the workshop discussions was published in Nutrition Management for Children with Special Needs in Child Nutrition Programs Workshop Proceedings, August 1993. This guidance formed the base of new materials training on the subject.

Working with Dr. Martin for the successful workshop were: Dr. Laverne Hellums, Director of Education and Training; Carolyn Hopkins, Associate Director of Education and Training; and Beverly Cross, Coordinator of Support Materials and Workshop Coordinator, along with the staff of the Institute.

NFSMI Staff 1992

Senator Dole sent a letter congratulating Dr. Martin and the NFSMI team on the successful conference and thanking her for the work on the Institute in this very important subject.

Letter from Senator Bob Dole.