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Office for Civil Rights

Civil Rights on the Basis of Race, Color, or National Origin

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for enforcing the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) it applies to covered entities under the jurisdiction of OCR. This jurisdiction includes entities that conduct programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (see the list of examples of such entities below).

Your Rights

Title VI protects persons from discrimination based on their race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. There are many forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, or national origin that frequently limit the opportunities of minorities to gain equal access to services. A recipient of Federal financial assistance may not, based on race, color, or national origin:

  • Deny services, financial aid or other benefits provided as a part of health or human service programs.
  • Provide a different service, financial aid or other benefit, or provide them in a different manner from those provided to others under the program.
  • Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any service, financial aid or other benefits.
  • Please see the regulation below for more information.
  • Also see Resources for Covered Entities and Advocates below for more guidance in this area.

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Fact Sheets

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Regulations

45 CFR Part 80: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

Also see Section 1808 of the Small Business Job Protection Act, which prohibits discrimination in adoptive or foster care placements on the basis of race, color or national origin.

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Examples of Covered Entities

Some of the institutions, programs and service providers that may receive funds from the DHHS are:

  • Hospitals
  • Medicaid and Medicare Providers
  • Physicians and other health care professionals in private practice with patients assisted by Medicaid
  • Family Health Centers
  • Community Mental Health Centers
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers
  • Nursing Homes
  • State agencies that are responsible for administering health care
  • Foster Care Homes
  • Public And Private Adoption And Foster Care Agencies
  • Day Care Centers
  • Senior Citizen Centers
  • Nutrition Programs
  • State and local income assistance and human service agencies

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Resources for Covered Entities and Advocates

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Additional Federal Resources

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Last revised: September 13, 2007

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