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4. Promote the coordination of energy assistance funding streams. 5. Result in a convenient, customer-friendly system for distribution of energy assistance. 6. Encourage innovation through pilot projects that target underserved households or special populations (e.g. low/fixed income, higher than average energy usage, non-metered fuel use). 2.3 NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) as a recipient of federal and state funding, provides all services and referrals relative to energy assistance to eligible households regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, disability or age. MEAP does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the ground of race, color, or national origin, or on the basis of disability or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, whether carried out by MEAP directly or through a Grantee, vendor, or any other entity with which MEAP arranges to carry out its programs and activities. Under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, 1976 PA 453, MCL 37.2101, et seq., and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, 1976 PA 220, MCL 37.1101, et seq., and Executive Directive 2019-09. Grantee and its subgrantees agree not to discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, or a matter directly or indirectly related to employment, because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (as defined in Executive Directive 2019-09), height, weight, marital status, partisan considerations, any mental or physical disability, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position. Breach of this covenant is a material breach of this Contract. 2.3.1 RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE The MEAP Grantee shall not require applicants to divulge their religious preference in order to receive energy assistance utilizing MEAP benefits. 2.3.2 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides protection to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. The MEAP Grantee shall not ask the cause of an applicant’s disability or any other discriminatory question when determining eligibility for MEAP benefits. 2.4 DATA SECURITY POLICY The Grantee is responsible for establishing and maintaining a data privacy and information security program, including physical, technical, administrative, and organizational safeguards, that is designed to: (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of the State Data; (b) protect against any anticipated threats