Nutrition and Dietary Service
A registered dietitian nutritionist oversees your child’s diet, which is based on an assessment done prior to or during admission to St. Mary’s and any new orders from physicians. Our staff members prepare and deliver all meals, snacks and gastrostomy tube feedings. Plates, spoons and cups that are tailored to each child’s specific needs are sent out at meal times as well.
Many children with disabilities have nontraditional diets. For example, they may be fed through a gastrostomy tube or through diets that have different textures. Food can be chopped or pureed and beverages can be thickened to make them easier for the child to swallow. We also have children who have very specialized dietary requirements. For example, they may have significant food allergies or food intolerances. We treat the children with special diets and formulas.
St. Mary’s has developed a plan for implementation of a wellness policy. This policy will be based on guidelines by the “Healthy Schools Program” from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Policy progress reports will be created and made available and a triennial assessment of the policy will also be completed. Members of the public are invited to participate in the development, implementation and review of the policy.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, 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, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Download copies of our policy and report:
St. Mary’s Home Wellness Policy | 2024 Triennial Assessment | VDOE School Level Report Card