DARE TO CARE FOOD BANK Louisville, KY - PowerPoint Presentation

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DARE TO CARE FOOD BANKLouisville, KY Sept 28, 2017 (for FFY17)TEFAP & CSFP Civil Rights TrainingSlide2

The TEFAP program is governed by laws, regulations, and executive orders that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.Civil rights training is federally mandated by USDA Food and Nutrition Service to inform and update staff of their obligations under the Civil Rights laws and regulations.Annual training is required of all TEFAP agencies.

Each food bank/pantry/soup kitchen must maintain a civil rights training file documenting date and attendance for training. The file should include a signature sheet for both annual and new employee training.

Civil Rights ComplianceSlide3

The Civil Rights MovementCivil Rights are the nonpolitical rights of a citizen; especially ; the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to United States citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of

CongressFederal Civil Rights Act of 1964Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972The Age Discrimination Act of 1975

The Americans with Disabilities

Act 1990Slide4

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement 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.Slide5

Indiana AddendumIn accordance with Indiana law, this program is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of religion. To file a complaint of religious discrimination:

On basis of religion: Indiana Civil Rights Commission Indiana Government Center N-103

100 North Senate Ave

Indianapolis, IN

46204

All

other cases:

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410Slide6

Religious OrganizationsMust not discriminate against applicants/participants based on religion, religious belief, refusal to hold a religious belief, or refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.May not engage in explicitly religious activities as part TEFAP.Must not require applicants/participants to participate in explicitly religious activities in order to receive food, including worship, religious instructions, or proselytization.If any explicitly religious activity takes place at a distribution site, it must be separate in time or location from USDA food distribution activities.Slide7

Religious OrganizationsTEFAP Specific RequirementsMust display the “Written Notice of Beneficiary Rights” poster prominently where it is visible upon entering the facility.Must provide the list of TEFAP outlets to clients who want a referral. Slide8

Religious OrganizationsCSFP Specific RequirementsMust provide individual written notice to applicants at the time they apply for CSFP benefits. “CSFP Written Notice of Beneficiary Rights”Slide9

Example Do’s & Don’ts for Religious Organizations Operating TEFAPIt is acceptable to …

Have a cross hanging on a wall at the food distribution facility.

Require participants to stand by the cross and recite a prayer prior to receiving USDA foods.

Have a menorah on a table the food distribution facility during the holiday season.

Refuse USDA foods to participants who do not practice the Jewish faith.

Have a display stand at the front/back of the facility that contains faith-based pamphlets for anyone interested.

Insert faith-based pamphlets in bags or boxes when distributing USDA foods.

Have a pastor or other religious official assist with the distribution of USDA foods.

Force or encourage participants to have a religious conversation with the pastor or official prior to receiving USDA foods.

It is unacceptable to …Slide10

Civil Rights ComplaintsIf an applicant believes they have been discriminated against on one of the protected classes (race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability

) he/she has 180 days to file a complaintAt no time shall a TEFAP representative discourage, impede or ignore a civil rights complaint.Slide11

Complaint EventAs a TEFAP representative, it is your responsibility to assist an applicant if they have or want to file a complaint . A TEFAP volunteer/staff member is required

to: Complete a Civil Rights Discrimination ComplaintMail complaint to the USDA office

Mail

copies of the complaint to the state

TEFAP

office, the USDA Civil Rights Director and

the

Regional Civil Rights

Director

The complainant must be advised of confidentiality and Privacy Act Applications when completing the complaint process

.Slide12

Complaint EventKeep a copy of the complaint at your officeDocument the complaint in the outlet log or other applicable document(s).IF the complaint is verbal or the participant/applicant refuses to put the complaint in writing, make every effort to gather the

following information:Name, address, phone and other means of contacting the complainant.Specific location and name of entity or person delivering the service or benefit and the nature of the incident or action.Basis on which the complainant feels discrimination occurred

.

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons that may have knowledge of the discriminatory action.

The date(s) during which the alleged action occurred.Slide13

Everyone should be familiar with Civil Rights compliance in the day-to-day operation of federally funded programs. Data CollectionEffective

public notificationComplaint proceduresRequirements for reasonable accommodation of persons with disabilitiesRequirements for language assistance

Conflict

resolution and

customer serviceSlide14

Poster must be displayed in a prominent location Participants must have access to

the Civil Rights Complaint form.Slide15

Limited LiteracyAgency Staff are responsible for reading the “And Justice for All” poster and Complaint Notice for those who are unable to read.“And Justice for All” must be translated for all non-English speaking participants.

Agencies that fail to provide services to LEP potentially eligible applicants/participants or deny them access to federally assisted programs and activities may be

discriminating

on the basis of national origin in violation

of

Title VI and its regulations. Slide16

Communication ResourcesPersons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY).

In Indiana, for relay (hearing impaired) services call 711 or 1-800-743-3333 http://www.relayindiana.com/Slide17

Civil Rights Statement GuidelineThe Civil Rights statement is required on all program materials such as outreach pamphlets and certificate of eligibility. Where the full statement does not fit, useThis institution is an equal opportunity provider.

in type no smaller than the main body of the document.Slide18

Questions?