College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources Internal Civil Rights Compliance Review County Extension

The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for enforcing civil rights regulations for land grants universities, and as such requires the NIFA to perform periodic reviews to ensure that all research and extension programs and activities are implemented in compliance with civil rights regulations. The review examines 9 subcomponent areas: organizational capacity, civil rights knowledge and procedures, advisory boards and committees, program delivery, data collection & integrity, non-discrimination based on sex, public notification, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and language access. The CAHNR conducts its own internal reviews as part of a proactive effort and in accordance to NIFA’s civil rights compliance guidelines to assess how  research and extension programs are doing in term of following equal opportunity policies.  The internal extension review process will cover the nine areas identified above.

We believe that every student, volunteer, customer, colleague should be treated with fairness, respect, and in a non-discriminatory manner and that everyone should have equitable access to opportunities and programs. Your responses will also help us determine your understanding of our civil rights responsibilities and will help us in the development and implementation of steps we should take to address identified needs.  Supervisors will use the checklist guide to lead staff through the internal annual review process.  Supervisors are responsible for oversight of office civil rights compliance procedures including that documentation is properly maintained in the county civil rights file for 3 years. All documentation must be updated annually. Supervisors and staff will receive guidance from the Civil Rights Officer.

  1. Step one involves the completion of this checklist.
  2. Step two involves an on-site visit by the civil rights officer to the facilities. This visit serves to validate step one, to provide feedback, and as an opportunity to answer any questions regarding the compliance requirements.
  3. The Civil Rights Officer will draft a summary of the review with identified strengths, needs, and corrective measures. The report will be shared to the NIFA review team upon request.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Nancy Cálix at Nancy.calix@kysu.edu, 502-597-5233, or at the Cooperative Extension Building, Room 208.