Civil rights are the non-political rights and freedoms that protect individuals from unwarranted action by government and private organizations and individuals and ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.

Current federal civil rights laws are composed of rules and laws from a wide variety of sources including but not limited to Title VI - Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Civil Rights Requirements

  Civil Rights Requirements

  Civil Rights Requirements

  Every partner charity who receives federal (TEFAP, USDA and/or CSFP) and state (OFP and/or OACP) food commodities must post the 11"x17" “And Justice for All” poster. Faith-based organizations must also post the "TEFAP Written Notification of Applicant and Recipient Rights."

• Civil Rights Training Requirements

  Civil Rights Training Requirements

  Civil Rights Training Requirements

  All Partner Charities are required to attend Civil Rights training on an annual basis. See below in the Civil Rights Resources section for all training materials. You are also responsible for training your volunteers EACH YEAR at your program who have direct contact with community members receiving your services. Training volunteers is easy and convenient by using our Civil Rights Checklist (found below). All training records for you and your volunteers are to be retained for 5 years.

  If you complete training online, email the acknowledgement form to Elizabeth Boardwine

• Filing a Discrimination Complaint

  Filing A Discrimination Complaint

  Any person that believes they have been discriminated against can file a complaint. Any complaint alleging discrimination must contain the following information:

  • The full name and address of the person making the complaint
  • The full name and address of the entity against whom the complaint is made
  • The basis of the alleged discrimination: race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age or gender
  • A concise statement of the facts that indicate the alleged discrimination
  • The date or dates of the occurrences of the alleged discrimination

  No particular form is required to file a complaint; however discrimination complaint forms are available here: discrimination complaint forms. They can also be obtained from the USDA Office of Civil Rights.

Civil Rights Resources

• Civil Rights Training Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7rfir2tr-4&t=788s
• Print the documents below for reference throughout the video and to keep on file.
• Civil Rights Training Slides
• Civil Rights Training Acknowledgment for the Person in Charge completing training
• Civil Rights Annual Training Checklist for volunteers/staff trained by the Person in Charge
• TEFAP Written Notice - Pantries, Meal Sites, Shelters
• CSFP Written Notice (Senior Boxes)
• Written Notice-Referral Request
• “I Speak” Statement
• Affordable Language Line Services
• Right to Refuse Service Policy
• Right to Refuse Service Incident Report Form
• And Justice for All Poster - MUST BE SIZE 11"X17" AND IN COLOR: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/sites/default/files/JFAgreen508.pdf

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, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 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
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake.usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.