Civil Rights Training

Goals of Civil Rights  Equal treatment for all applicants and participants  Elimination of illegal barriers that prevent people from receiving benefits  Participant knowledge of rights and responsibilities  Dignity and respect for ALL

What Is Discrimination? Distinguishing a person, or group of people, either in favor of or against others intentionally and doing so by neglect or by actions or by lack of actions based on the six protected classes.

Six Protected Classes Federal law prohibits discrimination in all child nutrition programs of these protected classes:  Race  Color  National Origin  Sex  Age  Disability

Areas of Compliance to Discuss  Public Notification System (PNS)  News Release  And Justice For All  Non-Discrimination  Limited English Proficiency  Data Collection  Training  Civil Rights Complaints

Public Notification System

NEWS RELEASE

News Release  Submit News Release for each new facility added  Inform media sources – not required to pay for publication  Maintain record of announcement and media contact information for each

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

And Justice For All Prominent Placement At Sponsor Office and ALL Facilities. Originals Only (Unless Permission for other is Granted.)

Non-Discrimination Statement

Nondiscrimination Statement  USDA Statement of Non-Discrimination “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at or at any USDA office, or call (866) to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , by fax (202) or at Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) ; or (800) (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

Both parts are required on all materials printed by both the Sponsoring Organization AND each facility regarding benefits and services as related to community nutrition programs, such as but not limited to: Promotional Literature Parent Handbooks Websites Nondiscrimination Statement

PNS Sponsors of community nutrition programs and all facilities must convey the message of equal opportunity in all photographic and other graphics used to provide program information

Language Barriers All sponsoring organizations and facilities must have the capability of providing informational materials in the appropriate translation concerning the availability and nutritional benefits of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

DATA COLLECTION

 Ethnic and racial information documented annually for all facilities  Maintain 3 years plus current year  Documented annually in initial Monitor Review.

DATA COLLECTION CHART Monitor Review

WHY IS DATA NECESSARY ? The collection of racial and ethnic data allows the sponsor and the state agency to determine how effectively the program is reaching the diversity of a population and if outreach is needed.

TRAINING

Sponsoring Organizations AND facilities must offer civil rights training to all people involved in their program: -staff -volunteers -contractors Training is required prior to the start of any program duties Everyone must be trained annually Sponsoring organization must document civil rights training of program contact(s) before program start date. Facilities must train all staff within four weeks of beginning program.

Civil Rights Grievance Procedure

Civil Rights Grievance Facility Responsibilities Train staff in defined procedures to process a complaint Keep grievance procedure forms in accessible place Must accept either written or verbal complaints May NEVER impede participants ability to file Move complaint forward in a timely manner

Civil Rights Grievance Procedure Page 1 Instructions

Civil Rights Grievance Procedure Page 2 Complaint: Filled out by parent or guardian

Civil Rights Grievance Procedure Page 3 Response to Complaint: Filled out by Center

Website

Participant Rights  Knowledge of all nondiscrimination information  How to file a claim if they believe their civil rights have been violated  A Claim may be filed up to 180 days following an alleged action or incident

 Sponsoring Organizations must ensure that the Civil Rights Compliance Assessment is completed for each Center/Site BEFORE the facility is added. Civil Rights Pre-Award Questionnaire

Ultimately……..  “Do unto others as you would have done to you” The Golden Rule