Civil Rights Training This civil rights training is required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), because HealthMPowers is partially funded through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) funding to conduct its nutrition education program in schools. Every staff member and volunteer who interacts with participants (children and their parents) must undergo this training to meet this requirement. Please read through this booklet of training slides and then check-off the Civil Rights Training column on your sign-in sheet. Thank you! These slides were adapted with the permission of Veronica Bryant, FNS, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Civil Rights Training Presenter:Christi Kay and Suzanne Glenn Presentation to: HealthMPowers (SNAP-Ed Implementing Agency) Volunteers Georgia Department of Human Services Approved by Jacki Jackson 7/2015

Vision, Mission and Core ValuesVision Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. Mission Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. Core Values Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. Develop our employees at all levels of the agency.

Why Civil Rights Training? To establish / convey policy and provide guidance / direction to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and its recipients and customers To ensure compliance with and enforcement of the prohibition against discrimination in SNAP- Ed and all FNS nutrition programs and activities, whether federally funded in whole or not

To ensure that each employee/volunteer understands: –The Civil Rights Laws –Unlawful discrimination –The words and actions that we must use to treat everyone the same across all federally funded FNS programs and activities Why Civil Rights Training?

Civil Rights Laws Title VI of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 –Prohibits discrimination on basis of race, color, and national origin Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 –Prohibits discrimination on basis of sex Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 –Prohibits discrimination based on disability by employers and organizations that receive federal assistance Age Discrimination Act of 1975 –Prohibits discrimination based on age

Civil Rights Laws (cont.) Food Stamp Act of 1977 –Added religious creed and political beliefs as protected classes in the Food Stamp Program Americans with Disabilities Act –Prohibits discrimination based on disability The PRWORA of 1996, and DOJ Memo dated 1/28/99, entitled, “Policy Guidance Document”; Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 –Further enforce and clarify scope of Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ensure non-discrimination in all programs, whether federally funded or not

Civil Rights Laws (cont.) USDA Departmental Regulation –Prohibits discrimination in programs and activities funded by USDA 7 CFR Part 16, Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations ( –Religiously affiliated organizations should be able to compete on equal footing with other organizations for USDA assistance Executive Order –protects against National Origin discrimination for persons with Limited English Proficiency or LEP

Executive Order LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP) LEP –Individuals who do not speak English as their primary language –Individuals who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English Agencies must: –Examine services provided –Identify needs for services to those with LEP –Develop and implement a system to provide services –Ensure that ALL programs and activities are available to LEP individuals

Unlawful Discrimination “…the act of distinguishing one person or group of persons from others, either intentionally, by neglect, or by the effect of actions or lack of actions based on their protected bases” (or class). All persons applying for, receiving, or participating in any federally assisted program or activity (SNAP-Ed) are protected against discrimination on the grounds of: − Race− Disability − Color− Religion − National origin− Political Beliefs − Sex − Age

Examples of Unlawful Discrimination Lack of accommodation Lack of information / communication Barriers to participation Differences in services or program benefits Rude and discourteous treatment

Public Notification System Required for SNAP-Ed State or implementing agencies and their sub-recipients Purpose is to inform participants and potentially eligible persons of: –Program availability (including dates, times and locations of SNAP-Ed activities) –Program rights and responsibilities –Policy of non-discrimination –Policy for filing a complaint

Prominently Display … USDA non-discrimination poster Must be prominently displayed in areas where participants have access to the information regarding non-discrimination and complaint procedures

Non-Discrimination Statement The non-discrimination statement must be included on all information materials and sources; including websites, forms, public releases, announcements of scheduled distributions and all other publications ance/civilrights2013.txthttp:// ance/civilrights2013.txt

Ethnic & Racial Data Collection State and local agencies are required to obtain race and ethnic data –To determine how effectively FNS programs are reaching potentially eligible populations, applicants, and participants. –To identify areas where additional outreach is needed –To assist in the selection of locations for compliance reviews –To complete reports, as required Voluntary for participants; let them know will not affect benefits/ eligibility HealthMPowers staff will collect data for activities

Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities Americans with Disabilities Act Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of CFR Part 15b –Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all services, programs and activities provided to the public by state and local governments. Reasonable accommodations that do not cause undue hardship must be provided.

Conflict Resolution Conflict – A disagreement through which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests, or concerns –Conflict can be large or small; originate in one person, between two or more people or between two or more groups –Conflict can be resolved depending on how its managed Define the problem. Find the cause. Select an approach to resolve it. Implement it – take action.

The Code of Quality: Customer Service Always: Smile and be pleasant Treat everyone with respect and courtesy Be caring and understanding Be a good listener Offer assistance Create a good learning environment Serve participants in a timely manner Apologize for any inconvenience Make participants feel appreciated Remember: Your participant is your most important asset!

Civil Rights Training All SNAP-Ed implementing agency staff must receive Civil Rights training Appropriate implementing agency personnel must train any educators or “front-line” staff/volunteers who interact with SNAP-Ed participants Maintain documents after training is performed (i.e. sign-in sheets of attendees, agenda, etc.)

Compliance Reviews Civil Rights compliance is evaluated as part of the Management Evaluation (ME) Process State agency reviews SNAP-Ed implementing agencies Implementing agencies review their sub-recipients State agency must report significant findings to the reviewed entity and FNS

Resolution of Non-compliance “Non-compliance”: A factual finding that any civil rights requirement, as provided by law, regulation, policy, instruction, or guidelines, is not being adhered to by a state agency, local agency or sub-recipient.

To Achieve Voluntary Compliance, the State Agency Must: Provide immediate written notice to the local agency or sub-recipient indicating: –The areas of non-compliance –The action required to correct the situation Negotiate with the local agency or sub-recipient to achieve compliance

Unlawful Discrimination Complaints Filing a complaint is a basic right Due process and the right to appeal is an entitlement Make participants aware of the “And Justice for All Poster” non-discrimination poster Report all discrimination complaints to HealthMPowers staff as soon as they occur

For Additional Civil Rights Compliance Information, contact: Suzanne Glenn, Project Director HealthMPowers