Updated May 2019
It is the policy of Coos County and of Coos Health & Wellness to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions and sexual harassment), marital or familial status, sexual orientation or other class protected by law in the admission to or participation in its programs, services, activities, or in employment. This nondiscrimination policy pertains to all individuals of a protected class, including employees, volunteers, trainees, clients, individuals applying for services and other members of the public.
For specific details about processes regarding the documentation and resolution of reports of discrimination, harassment and request for reasonable modification, please refer to the current Coos County Employee Handbook located on the Coos County intranet.
All records of alleged discrimination and harassment will be maintained and retained for at least 3 years according to the Coos County Human Resources and County Counsel records retention policy.
This policy is reviewed upon hire of employees and volunteers as well as once a year by all staff during a Public Health Division general staff meeting. This policy is also posted on the Public Health Division bulletin board and can be shared with anyone upon request.
This policy will be reviewed and updated as necessary on a triennial basis.
Civil Rights legislation which applies to Coos Health & Wellness Public health Division programs includes the following:
1. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits discrimination against otherwise qualified individuals on the basis of disability.
An individual with a disability is defined as a person with a physical, mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including caring for one’s self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks and learning. Some examples of impairment that may substantially limit major life activities include HIV/AIDS, blindness or low vision, cancer, deafness, diabetes, heart disease, intellectual disabilities and mental illness.
3. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance and/or US Dept. of Health and Human Services financial assistance.
4. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Title II of ADA (2010) provides comprehensive civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
5. Section 508 of the Social Security Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, sex (gender), or religion in the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant.
6. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex (gender) in education programs (such as WIC) which receive federal funds.
7. Section 1908 of the Public Health Service Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, sex (gender) or religion in programs and activities funded by Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grants.
8. Other applicable laws and regulations, and amendments specific to programs and activities.
Compliance with civil rights legislation for Coos Health & Wellness and its Public Health’s programs is achieved by:
1. Informing program applicants and participants of the nondiscrimination policy and the program rights and responsibilities and steps necessary for participation;
2. Informing clients of their right to file a complaint and the procedure for filing a complaint;
3. Providing reasonable access to services for persons with Limited English Proficiency;
4. Providing reasonable accommodation to assure access for persons with disabilities;
5. Training employees annually in civil rights laws and procedures.
Compliance with civil rights legislation for personnel recruitment, hiring, and employment management is described in the Coos County Employee Handbook under the Equal Employment Opportunity chapter. The designated County employee who assures compliance with ADA requirements is the County’s Human Resources Director.
Coos Health & Wellness (CHW) Report of Discrimination Form for the Public