Vermont USDA NRCS & FSA Civil Rights Program

The Vermont NRCS Civil Rights Program is in place to assure that all employees and customers are treated with respect and dignity. The Civil Rights Program in Vermont is made up of a number of components that support our efforts to assure fair and equitable treatment of all employees and customers. These components include:

• All employees are responsible to assure civil rights compliance.
• The Vermont joint NRCS & FSA Civil Rights Committee advises the NRCS State Conservationist and FSA State Executive Director of issues and concerns related to employment and program delivery.
• The Vermont Special Emphasis Programs help to assure equal opportunity for all individuals in employment and program delivery.
• The Vermont Outreach Program assures that all potential customers are informed of programs and technical assistance.
• USDA Civil Rights Directives guide our actions.
• Ongoing training opportunities for employees maintain awareness of civil right legislation and policies.
• Civil Rights reviews assist us in continuing to learn and improve our delivery of services.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution assists employees, our partners and our clients negotiate differences.

Links

• USDA Office of Civil Rights
• NRCS National Civil Rights Home Page
• FSA National Civil Rights Home Page

Brochures

• USDA; We Can Help - English/French version
• USDA; We Can Help - English/Spanish version side 1
•                                  English/Spanish version side 2               
• The Civil Rights Committee and You

Resources

• USDA - How to file an employment complaint
• USDA - How to file a program complaint
• NRCS Alternative Dispute Resolution
• USDA Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center
• Vermont Conflict Management Team

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14^th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."