All staff, supervisors and volunteers working with the participant must complete Civil Rights training within 30 days of the new FFY and new staff hire date. You must document the completion of this training and retain it for future monitoring visits. Understanding and Abiding by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act is viewed by clicking on the hyperlinked title.
Provider staff must understand how participants can file a civil rights complaint and provide this information if a participant were to request it.
Complaints of Discrimination
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program.
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 responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 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 discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer | USDA 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:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Email: program.intake@usda.gov
504 Coordinator required
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly referred to as Section 504) is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Notify program applicants and participants of the availability of services for persons with disabilities.
All Providers must:
1. Ensure policies are in accordance with ADA/Section 504 requirements.
2. Ensure physically accessible to individuals with disabilities.
3. Communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.).
4. Contractors with 15 or more employees must have a Section 504 coordinator appointed.