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Enforcing Civil Rights Laws
<br /> All recipients of Federal financial assistance,regardless of the particular funding source,the amount of the grant award,or the number of
<br /> employees in the workforce,are subject to the prohibitions against unlawful discrimination.Accordingly,OCR investigates recipients that
<br /> are the subject of discrimination complaints from both individuals and groups.In addition,based on regulatory criteria,OCR selects a
<br /> number of recipients each year for compliance reviews,audits that require recipients to submit data showing that they are providing services
<br /> equitably to all segments of their service population and that their employment practices meet equal employment opportunity standards.
<br /> Complying with the Safe Streets Act or Program Requirements
<br /> In addition to these general prohibitions;an organization which is a recipient of financial assistance subject to the nondiscrimination
<br /> provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act(Safe Streets Act)of 1968,42 U.S.C.§3789d(c),or other Federal grant
<br /> program requirements,must meet two additional requirements:(1)complying with Federal regulations pertaining to the development of an
<br /> Equal Employment Opportunity Plan(EEOP),28 C.F.R.§42.301-.308,and(2)submitting to OCR Findings of Discrimination(see 28
<br /> C.F.R.§§42.205(5)or 31,202(5)).
<br /> 1) Meeting the EEOP Requirement
<br /> In accordance with Federal regulations,Assurance No.6 in the Standard Assurances,COPS Assurance No.8.13,or certain Federal grant
<br /> program requirements,your organization must comply with the following EEOP reporting requirements:
<br /> If your organization has received an award for$500,000 or more and has 50 or more employees(counting both full-and part-time
<br /> employees but excluding political appointees),then it has to prepare an EEOP and submit it to OCR for review within 60 days from the
<br /> date of this letter.Far assistance in developing an ESOP,please consult OCR's website at http:l/Www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ocr/ecop,htm. You
<br /> may also request technical assistance from an EEOP specialist at OCR by dialing(202)616-3208.
<br /> If your organization received an award between$25,000 and 5500,000 and has 50 or more employees,your organization still has to prepare
<br /> an EEOP,but it does not have to submit the EEOP to OCR for review.Instead,your organization has to maintain the EEOP on file and
<br /> make it available for review on request.In addition,your organization has to complete Section B of the Certification Form and return it to
<br /> OCR.The Certification Forni can be found at http://www.ojp.asdoj.gov/ocr/ecop.htm.
<br /> If your organization received an award for less than 525,000;or if your organization has less than 50 employees,regardless of the amount of
<br /> the award;or if your organization is a medical institution,educational institution,nonprofit organization or Indian tribe,then your
<br /> organization is exempt from the ESOP requirement.However,your organization must complete Section A of the Certification Form and
<br /> return it to OCR.The Certification Form can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ocr/eeop.htm,
<br /> 2) Submitting Findings of Discrimination
<br /> In the event a Federal or State court or Federal or State administrative agency makes an adverse finding of discrimination against your
<br /> organization after a due process hearing,on the ground of race,color,religion,national origin,or sex,your organization must submit a copy
<br /> of the finding to OCR for review.
<br /> Ensuring the Compliance of Subreeipients
<br /> If your organization makes subawards to other agencies,you are responsible for assuring that subrecipients also comply with all of the
<br /> applicable Federal civil rights laws,including the requirements pertaining to developing and submitting an ESOP,reporting.Findings of
<br /> Discrimination,and providing language scrvices to LEP persons.State agencies that make subawards must have in place standard grant
<br /> assurances and review procedures to demonstrate that they are effectively monitoring the civil rights compliance of subrecipients.
<br /> If we can assist you in any way in fulfilling your civil rights responsibilities as a recipient of Federal funding,please call OCR at(202)307-
<br /> 0690 or visit our website at http://www.ojp.usdoi,gov/ocr/.
<br /> Sincerely,
<br /> Michael L,Alston
<br /> Director
<br /> cc: Grant Manager
<br /> Financial Analyst
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