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HHS provides federal financial assistance for many programs to enhance health and well- being, including TANF, Head Start, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and others. If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion in programs or activities that HHS directly operates or to which HHS provides federal financial assistance, you may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for yourself or for someone else.

To file a complaint of discrimination for yourself or someone else regarding a program receiving federal financial assistance through HHS, complete the form on line through OCR’s Complaint Portal at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/. You may also contact OCR via mail at: Centralized Case Management Operations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 509F HHH Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20201; fax: (202) 619-3818; or email: OCRmail@hhs.gov. For faster processing, we encourage you to use the OCR online portal to file complaints rather than filing via mail. Persons who need assistance with filing a civil rights complaint can email OCR at OCRMail@hhs.gov or call OCR toll-free at 1-800-368-1019, TDD 1-800-537-7697. For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. We also provide alternative formats (such as Braille and large print), auxiliary aids and language assistance services free of charge for filing a complaint.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Further, it is the obligation of the departments to make reasonable accommodations for an applicant or participant so that no limitation – physical, mental or language – prevents his or her complete participation.

For a more complete description of non-discrimination policies by agency: • DCF - Chapter 1 of 060-16 Methods of Administration for Federal Financial Participation • FloridaCommerce – Equal Opportunity Policy

7.2 DUE PROCESS (SECTIONS 409.285, 445.024(6), F.S.)

WIOA provides for applicant/participant protections against erroneous and arbitrary decision-making through opportunities for hearings and appeals in accordance with section 409.285, F.S. Participants are subject to the same health, safety, and nondiscrimination standards established under federal, state, or local laws that otherwise apply to other individuals engaged in similar activities who are not participants in the WT. The act also provides DCF with administrative rulemaking authority and directs DCF to adopt such administrative rules to ensure participant protection and due process in accordance with section 414.45, F.S. DCF does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.