Protection from Racial Discrimination in Adoption and Foster Care
Examples of Office for Civil Rights Outreach and Technical Assistance Activities
As in other civil rights areas, the Office for Civil Rights is available to participate in outreach and technical assistance activities regarding Title VI and Section 1808. Summaries of some recent OCR outreach and technical assistance activities are provided below. Government agencies, public and private child welfare providers, judicial officials, community-based organizations and other stakeholders can request OCR's participation in these events by contacting the Regional office in which the event is scheduled to take place. [Link to list of Regional offices here]
- Utah State Judicial Conference, Park City, Utah
In September 2002, OCR's Denver office made a Section1808 presentation at the Juvenile Court Bench meeting of the Utah State Judicial Conference. OCR's presentation covered the history of interethnic adoption in the United States, the fundamentals of MEPA and Section 1808 and the role of the judiciary in implementing these status.
- Georgia County Welfare Association (GCWA) Conference
In September 2002, OCR's Atlanta office conducted two workshops for approximately 50 participants at this conference. The workshops provided an overview of Title VI, Section 1808, and other federal civil rights statutes.
- Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, Santa Clara, California
In July 2002, OCR's San Francisco office made a presentation to approximately 60 adoption and foster care case workers from the Department of Family and Children's Services of the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency. OCR's presentation consisted of an overview of Section 1808 and the complaint investigative procedure.
- Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
In May 2002, OCR's San Francisco office made a presentation on Section 1808 and other civil rights issues to county workers from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Approximately 40 staff from various offices through out the county attended, including those from the Internal Affairs Section, the Civil Rights Section, Civil Rights Liaisons from the field offices, and the Health & Safety Division.
- National Foster Parent Association National Education Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada
In May 2002, staff from OCR's San Francisco office participated in this conference, conducted a workshop focusing on Section 1808 and an overview of OCR's complaint investigative process. Approximately 35 person attended the OCR session.
- Colorado State and County Departments of Human Services
In May 2002, OCR's Denver office conducted a Section 1808 presentation to the Colorado Department of Human Services and county departments of human services for Denver County, Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Greeley, Alamosa, Weld County, Morgan County, and Prowers County.
- Southeastern Civil Rights Association Training Conference, Louisville, Kentucky
In April 2002, OCR's Atlanta office, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children (KCFC) co-sponsored the Second Annual Civil Rights Training Conference. Approximately 300 persons attended the conference. OCR staff made presentations during two workshops to more than 60 conference participants regarding the requirements of Section1808's and Title VI's prohibition of discrimination in adoption and foster placements.
- Southeast Training and Advocacy Group
In March 2002, OCR's Atlanta office discussed Section 1808 and other civil rights issues in a conference call with the Southeast Public Benefits Training and Advocacy Group, which conducts statewide training in southeastern states on legal and civil rights issues. On the conference call were representatives from Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia and representatives from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Center on Law and Social Policy and the Welfare Law Center.
- Georgia Department of Human Resources (GDHR)
In February 2002, OCR's Atlanta office provided and overview and training to approximately 50 staff persons of the GDHR regarding implementation of foster and adoption policies and practices consistent with Title VI and Section 1808. In December 2001, OCR's Atlanta office conducted a workshop on Section 1808 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for 25 newly-hired GDHR county directors.
- Oregon Adoption Agencies
In November 2001, OCR's Seattle office conducted training on the legal requirements of Section 1808 for private adoption agencies who contract with the State of Oregon, and for State licensing staff who work with private agencies. Oregon has agreed to participate with OCR in providing ongoing civil rights training to contact agency staff.
- Colorado Judicial Conference
In October 2001, staff from OCR's Denver office conducted a workshop on Section 1808 to State and county court judges at the Colorado Judicial Conference.
- Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center Newsletter
In October 2001, an article by OCR's Atlanta office regarding the legal requirements of Section 1808 and OCR's role in enforcing this statute was published in the newsletter of the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
- Midwest Hub Meeting of Child Welfare Directors
In July 2001, staff from OCR's Chicago office participated in a presentation regarding strategies to incorporate Section 1808 requirements into social work practice at the Midwest Hub meeting of child welfare directors.
- Department of Human Resources, Division of Family Assistance, Georgia
In May 2001, a representative from OCR's Atlanta Regional Office provided civil rights training to 120 employees of the Georgia Department of Human Resources (GDHR), Division of Family and Children Services. State employees attending the training included all statewide TANF consultants, regional program directors and all GDHR training staff. The training involved two sessions addressing how the requirements of Title VI and Section 1808 apply to adoption and foster care policies and procedures being implemented by the agency.
- Southeast Regional Civil Rights Conference, Birmingham, Alabama
In April 2001, OCR's Atlanta Regional Office sponsored the Southeast Regional Civil Rights Conference in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), and the Alabama Department of Human Resources (ADHR). The conference was designed to offer attendees in-depth training on how various civil rights laws apply to the administration of adoption, foster care and other social services programs. Two workshops on Section 1808 were offered. Approximately 135 individuals attended the conference, including state and local agency staff responsible for providing social services, staff responsible for providing civil rights and program oversight to social services agencies and members of grass roots and advocacy organizations.
- Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, Newport, Rhode Island
In March 2001, staff from OCR Headquarters presented a Section 1808 Training at the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA) conference. The conference was attended by approximately 100 participants.
- Women of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Decatur, Georgia
In March 2001, OCR staff participated in a Prayer Breakfast and Luncheon sponsored by the Women of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. There were a total of approximately 350 participants in attendance at these two events. OCR provided participants with handouts regarding Section 1808, Title VI and other civil rights authorities. OCR also responded to questions regarding OCR's enforcement activities concerning adoption and foster care. Several attendees expressed an interest in collaborating with OCR and/or other interested stakeholders in undertaking various activities to achieve the goals of Section 1808.
- National Black Herstory Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
In March 2001, OCR staff participated in the Fourth Annual National Black Herstory Conference held at Emory University. There were 100 participants in attendance. OCR participants manned a booth and an exhibit, responded to questions regarding discrimination as it pertains to the placement process in foster care and adoption, and disseminated information regarding Section 1808, Title VI and other civil rights authorities.
- National Black Heritage Forum, Georgia
In February 2001, representatives from the OCR Atlanta Regional Office participated in the annual Black Heritage Program sponsored by the National Council of Negro women (NCNW) in partnership with the Soapstone Center for the Arts. During the event, OCR representatives discussed with attendees OCR's compliance efforts regarding Section 1808 and other civil rights issues. Attendees were also given Section 1808-related materials, including a Regional Office brochure developed to inform the public about Section 1808 and about OCR. Approximately 125 persons were in attendance.
Last revised: May 29, 2003
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