In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online, at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

INFO:
Updated US Department of Agriculture Non-Discrimination Statement and Exemption Opportunity: On May 5, the US Department of Agriculture published an updated Non-Discrimination Statement (NDS) that included non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity. All documents, pamphlets, websites, etc. must be updated with the new statement as noted below. Under U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulation 7 CFR 15a.205, educational institutions and other entities may claim an exemption from the provisions of Title IX by submitting a written declaration to the Secretary of Agriculture identifying the provisions that conflict with a specific tenet of the religious organization by submitting a request in writing to the US Department of Agriculture. 1. Websites must be updated within 90 days of the date of this memorandum. 2. Documents, pamphlets, brochures, etc., using 2015 NDS language must be updated when current supply on hand is exhausted or by September 30, 2023. 3. All new printing must use the 2022 NDS. 4. And Justice For All Posters: Currently posted must remain in place until new posters are received. The Office is ordering new posters for all sponsors and sites and will keep sponsors and sites updated on receipt and mailing.