1. Civil Rights: What Do I Need to Know
about Civil Rights and
Diversity?
Extension is a part of the Land Grant System and a state university which receive federal funding in addition to state and local funds. Because we receive federal funds, we are required to demonstrate compliance with federal laws that prohibit discrimination. Because the County Extension Board provides oversight for our programming and compliance, it is important that you, as a board member, understand our commitment and legal responsibilities … not only because Extension is required to comply … but, because it is the right thing to do!!!

2. It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Jason R. Henderson, Director, that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilitates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution. This material may be available in alternative formats.​
Purdue Extension is an organization that values all of its employees, volunteers and clientele. The statement you see on the screen is our EEO Statement that reflects our commitment to be inclusive and respectful of all people. It is the official nondiscrimination statement that is used on printed publications.
Civil rights are guaranteed to all individuals in the United States. However, specific laws were enacted to address the past mistreatment and the violation of civil right s of groups who have historically been overlooked or discriminated against by laws and practices of groups and individuals in the United States. Thus, for historical and legal reasons particular emphasis is given to: Race, Color, Creed, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Age, Marital Status, Disability, Public Assistance Status, Veteran Status, and Sexual Orientation.

3. As public institutions, Purdue University, Purdue Extension, USDA, the state of Indiana, and each county government pledge to be inclusive in our programming and employment practices. We serve ALL people!!!
So …as a public institution, Purdue University, Purdue Extension, USDA, the state of Indiana and each county government pledge to be inclusive in our programming and employment practices. We serve ALL people!!!

4. What do you, as an Extension board member, need to know?
Important laws
Extension’s responsibilities in programming
How civil rights affect our relationship with collaborating/partner organizations
The demographics of your county, so you can help provide oversight for compliance in programming.
What do you as an Extension Board member need to know regarding Civil Rights?
1. Important laws … beyond the premise that being inclusive of all people is the right thing to do; knowing the legal base for doing so is important.
2. Extension has responsibilities and guidelines to be followed to ensure proper compliance in our program efforts.
3. We collaborate and partner with a number of organizations and groups in the community. When we do that, the public perception of how those outside entities function carries a perception of Purdue Extension’s acceptance of their inclusivity.
4. The demographics of our community are always changing. The Extension Board helps provide oversight for who our clientele are, what the needs of the community are and how we respond to those needs in our programming. Therefore, it is important for you to be familiar with the demographics of your community.

5. The Civil Rights Act of 1964
“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
The Basis for Extension Compliance…
As John F. Kennedy said in his message calling for the enactment of Title VI, in 1963 “Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes, or results in racial discrimination.”
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI)
“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

6. Important Laws – The Legal Basis
Title VI
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (EEO)
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act 1993)
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Each of these contributes to our Civil Rights responsibilities.

7. Important Focus for Civil Rights Planning and Reporting
How we deliver programs
How we notify the public
Civil Rights training of staff and volunteers
Civil Rights compliance reviews
Employment
Handling a complaint
In order to ensure that our programs and activities and our employment practices are open to all we need to examine how we carry out the six functions below.
Program Delivery
Public Notification
Civil Rights Training
Civil Rights Compliance Reviews
Employment
Handling a Complaint

8. Compliance with Civil Rights Laws in Educational Programs
Make all reasonable efforts
to REACH OUT to underrepresented groups, and
to ensure nondiscrimination in programming and services.
Remember, we’ve said in Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, compliance with civil rights laws in the area of educational programs includes the following activities:
Making all reasonable effort to REACH OUT to underrepresented groups… ethnic minorities and women/men
And, to ensure that we do not discriminate in our programming and services .

9. 1. Program Delivery
Consider cultural and ethnic differences when planning and delivering programs.
Accommodate people with disabilities.
1. Program Delivery
Consider cultural or ethnic differences when planning programs.
For example, a nutrition program should use examples and recommendations of foods that are common in a culture as much as possible
We need to examine the membership of those volunteers serving on program planning and advisory committees and increase participation of underrepresented groups of people in the community.
We also need to adjust facilities and programs for customers with disabilities. This would include reviewing our offices and meeting sites to make sure they are accessible. In programming it might include public address systems at all meetings. .

10. As a part of a land-grant and a state university Extension system…
…we must comply with federal laws that prohibit discrimination.
Additionally: Any group, club, agency, organization or entity that we partner with on an ongoing basis in providing services must also not discriminate.
Extension is a part of the Land Grant System and a State University who receive federal funding in addition to state and local funds Because we receive federal funds we are required to demonstrate compliance with federal laws that prohibit discrimination.
In Addition to Extension’s compliance with Civil Rights Laws, any agency, organization, club, group or other entity who wishes to enter into or continue in a relationship with Purdue Extension and its employees for services must agree to abide by the federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination. We cannot have an ongoing partnership with an entity that discriminates and would therefore give the perception that Purdue Extension condones that discrimination.

11. How do we know our partnering organizations are open and don’t discriminate?
Tell them we don’t discriminate.
Ask them to certify that they do not discriminate…it’s a simple statement saying they don’t discriminate!
How do we know our partnering organizations are open and don’t discriminate?
First, we make sure they understand our nondiscrimination stance based on our EEO Statement,
Then we ask them to certify that they do not discriminate based on the same federal, state and local nondiscrimination laws and policies.

12. 2. Public Notification We assess how we identify potential audiences,
how we notify them of programs,
how we tell them that we don’t discriminate, and
how we convey the message that all are welcome.
2. Public Notification … this is how we let people know that our programs are open to all individuals and that we do not discriminate.
In addition to traditional avenues for advertising programs, we need to identify sources of information (media and organizations) used by minorities and use them to advertise our programs
We Inform potential clientele that our programs are inclusive
We display the “…And Justice for all” poster in office and other facilities where we hold meetings and include the non-discrimination statement on all printed materials
We inform groups with whom we cooperate of the nondiscriminatory requirements; obtain certification that cooperating groups follow the federal requirements for nondiscrimination
We use statements, photos and graphics that portray our diverse audience to convey the message of equal opportunity in material released to public
We use gender-neutral language to convey the message that we do not discriminate based on gender

13. 3. Civil Rights Training
Annually offer training on our Civil Rights responsibilities to all staff, councils, and committees
Focus on communicating effectively with diverse communities
3. Civil Rights Training
In order to keep our focus on reaching out to underserved audiences and in doing all we can to not discriminate we participate and provide training for staff and volunteers.
A part of that training focuses on increasing appreciation and understanding of diversity and on communicating effectively with diverse audiences.

14. 4. Civil Rights Compliance Reviews
CEDs submit an annual Civil Rights Compliance Report to Purdue
20 counties have on-site reviews each year
Every five years, Indiana Extension undergoes a Federal Audit
4. Civil Rights Compliance Reviews assure that we are complying.
We demonstrate our compliance with documentation of our efforts. We examine our efforts with formal reports and reviews:
CEDs submit an annual Civil Rights Compliance Report to Purdue
20 counties have an on-site review each year
Every 5 years Purdue research, extension and education programs undergoes a federal review by CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service – USDA).

15. Documentation… …is how we show that we are compliant. Documentation
Educators are continually documenting Civil rights efforts. Each county needs a Civil Rights file that contains:
Written evidence or proof of compliance efforts and their results
Names of parties involved, dates, what transpired and date the documentation was developed.
Program participation data

16. 5. Employment Equal Employment Opportunity requires
a plan for recruitment of diverse employees;
full utilization of staff skills;
access to training, promotion, and awards;
prompt, fair processing of complaints;
accessible EEO counselors.
5. Employment
EEO performance plan for: recruitment of diverse employees; full utilization of staff skills; access to training and promotion, and awards; prompt, fair processing of complaints, accessible EEO counselors

17. 6. Public Complaint Procedures
If a staff member or a client has a complaint of discrimination, there is a process accessible through both the Purdue Web site and the Extension Intranet Web site. A policy governs this process and has both formal and informal steps.
6. If a staff member or a client has a complaint of discrimination there is a process accessible through the Purdue website as well as the Extension Intranet website. A policy governs this process and has both formal and informal steps.

18. Civil Rights Compliance… because it’s the right thing to do!!!
By our words and actions, each of us demonstrates a commitment to equal opportunity for all individuals. As an Extension Board member you are part of a system that strives for a workplace that respects differences and embraces diversity and offers programs and services that must be accessible and delivered to all of our community fairly and with dignity.

19. Test Your Knowledge Why do we have to follow EEO, ADA, etc.?
To keep our funding
Because it’s the right thing to do
Because it’s the law
All of the above
Answer= ALL

20. Test Your Knowledge At what functions and activities do we have
to comply with these regulation?
Only at public functions
Only during hiring
At all of our functions
Answer: All

21. Congratulations!
You’ve finished. This is just one of several modules in this program for County Extension Board members.