Introduction to Civil Rights in Kansas

What is Civil Rights? A compilation of rules, regulations, and laws that govern Agency actions related to program delivery and employment concerns. A compilation of rules, regulations, and laws that govern Agency actions related to program delivery and employment concerns. Included are Title VI and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, NRCS General Manual Title 230 Parts , USDA Departmental Regulation , and others. Included are Title VI and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, NRCS General Manual Title 230 Parts , USDA Departmental Regulation , and others.

The Reason Behind Civil Rights It’s the law It’s the law Educate and inform employees Educate and inform employees Avoid discrimination and violations Avoid discrimination and violations Promote diversity in the workplace Promote diversity in the workplace Every employee is responsible for civil rights Every employee is responsible for civil rights

Responsible Officials The Chief of the NRCS has been delegated responsibility The Chief of the NRCS has been delegated responsibility Director of the Civil Rights Division Director of the Civil Rights Division Regional Conservationists, Deputy Chiefs, Division Directors, and Managers Regional Conservationists, Deputy Chiefs, Division Directors, and Managers State Conservationists State Conservationists Managers and Supervisors Managers and Supervisors

What are Title VI and VII?

Title VI and Title VII Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive financial assistance. (PROGRAMS) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive financial assistance. (PROGRAMS) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in employment. (EMPLOYMENT) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in employment. (EMPLOYMENT)

Title VI Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act says “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act says “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

How to Comply with Title VI Provide technical assistance, guidance, and training to encourage voluntary compliance. Provide technical assistance, guidance, and training to encourage voluntary compliance. Conduct regular compliance reviews of policies, procedures, and practices of programs and activities. Conduct regular compliance reviews of policies, procedures, and practices of programs and activities. Investigate complaints alleging discrimination. Investigate complaints alleging discrimination. Provide outreach and education. Provide outreach and education.

Give Examples of Your Outreach Activities NewspaperRadio Field Days/Tours Women in Ag Meetings Schools Community Groups Conferences

Title VII Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), national origin, and genetic information. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), national origin, and genetic information. Protects employees from workplace harassment. Protects employees from workplace harassment. Protects employees from retaliation. Protects employees from retaliation.

How to Comply with Title VII Provide a workplace free of harassment Provide a workplace free of harassment Nondiscrimination in hiring and promotions Nondiscrimination in hiring and promotions Provide reasonable accommodations for Provide reasonable accommodations for Religious beliefs Religious beliefs Pregnancy Pregnancy Employees with a disability Employees with a disability Treat all employees and coworkers fairly and equitably Treat all employees and coworkers fairly and equitably

Have you seen these? Refer to the posters above for directions on filing a Title VI or Title VII complaint. Title VITitle VII

Complaint Process Title VI—Complete form and mail to address on the form, you have 180 days from date of alleged discrimination to file a complaint. Title VI—Complete form and mail to address on the form, you have 180 days from date of alleged discrimination to file a complaint. Title VII—Contact an equal employment opportunity (EEO) counselor, you have 45 days from date of alleged discrimination to file a complaint. Title VII—Contact an equal employment opportunity (EEO) counselor, you have 45 days from date of alleged discrimination to file a complaint.

What is the Vision of the Kansas Civil Rights Advisory Committee? Equity for people in programs Equity for people in programs

What is the Mission of the Kansas Civil Rights Advisory Committee? Ensure compliance with agency policies for conservation and equal opportunity programs, and accountability for the delivery of quality and timely services to our customers. Ensure compliance with agency policies for conservation and equal opportunity programs, and accountability for the delivery of quality and timely services to our customers.

Name Some Purposes of the Civil Rights Advisory Committee

Civil Rights Advisory Committee Duties Advisory body Advisory body Training needs Training needs Expand cultural awareness Expand cultural awareness Awards Awards Feedback Feedback Identify emerging issues Identify emerging issues Make recommendations to the STC Make recommendations to the STC Recruit Recruit

Benefits of Serving as a Civil Rights Member Personal development Personal development Career enhancement and enrichment Career enhancement and enrichment Skills development Skills development Facilitate change Facilitate change Improve morale Improve morale Provide education Provide education Exchange information Exchange information

What is a Special Emphasis Program?

Special Emphasis Programs The term “special emphasis program” (SEP) refers to those programs that focus special attention on certain specific groups as a result of a particular law, regulation, or Executive order. SEPs were established to address the employment-related concerns of groups not specifically included in other programs where a need for special emphasis or employment concerns of such groups has been demonstrated. The term “special emphasis program” (SEP) refers to those programs that focus special attention on certain specific groups as a result of a particular law, regulation, or Executive order. SEPs were established to address the employment-related concerns of groups not specifically included in other programs where a need for special emphasis or employment concerns of such groups has been demonstrated.

Special Emphasis Programs (1) Disability Emphasis Program (2) Federal Women’s Program (3) Hispanic Emphasis Program (4) Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program (5) American Indian/Alaska Native Emphasis Program (6) Black Emphasis Program (7) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Emphasis Program Program (8) Veterans Emphasis Program

Special Emphasis Program Manager Duties Identify barriers Identify barriers Listen to concerns Listen to concerns Recruit Recruit Retention Retention Professional development Professional development Educate Educate Conduct reviews Conduct reviews

This poster should be displayed in every service center.

Promoting diversity leads to a work environment that maximizes the potential of all employees while acknowledging their unique contributions and differences.

Questions??

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.