Colorado WIC Program Policies and Procedures Section 11: Civil Rights Revised: 01.01.2021

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Non-Discrimination Statement

Policy: The following non-discrimination statement must be used in full on all materials and sources (such as websites) used to inform the public about or describe the WIC Program (such as outreach and referral materials), denial and termination letters, missed appointment policies, reminder materials, eligibility standards, and program applications. Internal and interdepartmental newsletters, as well as those meant for participants and/or other outside agencies, that are used to convey WIC benefits and participation requirements, should also include the non-discrimination statement. If the material is too small to permit the full statement to be included, the material will at a minimum include the statement, in print size no smaller than the text, that “This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”

The non-discrimination statement is not required to be imprinted on items such as cups, buttons, magnets, and pens that identify the WIC Program, when size or configuration make it impractical or on nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion and support materials that strictly provide a nutrition message with no mention of the program.

In addition, recognizing that Internet, radio and television public service announcements are generally short in duration, the nondiscrimination statement does not have to be read in its entirety. Rather, a statement such as "This institution is an equal opportunity provider” is sufficient to meet the nondiscrimination requirement.

English nondiscrimination statement – long form: 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: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, 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.

English nondiscrimination statement —short form This institution is an equal opportunity provider

Spanish Non-Discrimination Statement - long form: De conformidad con la Ley Federal de Derechos Civiles y los reglamentos y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés), se prohíbe que el USDA, sus agencias, oficinas, empleados e instituciones que participan o administran programas del USDA discriminen sobre la base de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o en represalia o venganza por actividades previas de derechos civiles en algún programa o actividad realizados o financiados por el USDA.

Colorado WIC Program Policies and Procedures Section 11: Civil Rights Revised: 01.01.2021

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Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten medios alternativos para la comunicación de la información del programa (por ejemplo, sistema Braille, letras grandes, cintas de audio, lenguaje de señas americano, etc.), deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) en la que solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades de audición o discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service [Servicio Federal de Retransmisión] al (800) 877-8339. Además, la información del programa se puede proporcionar en otros idiomas.

Para presentar una denuncia de discriminación, complete el Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación del Programa del USDA, (AD-3027) que está disponible en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination- complaint y en cualquier oficina del USDA, o bien escriba una carta dirigida al USDA e incluya en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de denuncia, llame al (866) 632-9992. Haga llegar su formulario lleno o carta al USDA por:

(1) Correo postal: 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; o (3) Correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov.

Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Spanish nondiscrimination statement—short form Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Regulations: FNS Instructions 113-1

Procedure/Additional Guidance: Include the nondiscrimination statement on all materials and information sources as required by policy.