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Extension is for Everyone!

Dear Washington Residents,

Washington State University (WSU) Extension enthusiastically invites all residents of Washington State to participate in our county Extension education programs. This web page serves as a resource for participants and for WSU extension employees and volunteers regarding WSU Extension’s Civil Rights policies and procedures.

WSU Extension improves the lives of Washington residents and encourages all participants to learn more about the programs and classes we offer. If you want to learn how to choose healthier foods; care for plants and animals; conserve water; save money; or test your soil, you can learn through Extension.  Programs are typically free or low-cost.  You may be familiar with some of our Extension programs if you’ve ever been to a 4-H or county fair, a 4-H cooking, sewing, robotics, etc., program or gotten help from a Master Gardener.  For more information on the Extension programs available near you, call, email, visit your county office or go to your county Extension website for more information.

Also, take an opportunity to visit our online Learning Library that contains research-based information on topics as varied as food, nutrition and health, youth development, agriculture, horticulture, crop production, animal husbandry, science and technology, small business and personal finance.

WSU Extension programs and publications reach thousands of individuals and families each year.  We encourage you to watch for our fliers, listen for our announcements on the radio, or join your county’s Extension contact list to learn more about Extension activities and events in your county.

Sincerely,

Your Washington State University Extension and County Faculty & Staff

“Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race; sex/gender; sexual orientation; gender identity/expression; religion; age; color; creed; national or ethnic origin; physical, mental, or sensory disability, including disability requiring the use of a trained service animal; marital status, genetic information, and/or status as an honorably discharged veteran or member of the military. Report concerns to oeo.wsu.edu, 509-335-8288, or your local Extension office.”


Serving All in the State of Washington

WSU Extension actively endeavors to make our programs available to all residents of Washington. The information and guidance on this website has been developed to ensure that we facilitate the widest possible participation.

WSU Extension Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of WSU Extension that no person shall be discriminated against in employment or any program or activity on the basis of race; sex/gender; sexual orientation; gender identity/expression; religion; age; color; creed; national or ethnic origin; physical; mental or sensory disability, including disability requiring the use of a trained service animal; marital status; genetic information and/or status as an honorably discharged veteran or member of the military.

WSU Extension will take specific action to reach out in positive ways to persons who are underrepresented in Extension programs and activities, and to increase diversity in employment.

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Request Accommodation

Federal law provides that programs and facilities must be accessible (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). The federal regulations state: “shall provide auxiliary aids to persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills, where necessary to afford such persons an equal opportunity to benefit from the services.” This is interpreted to include educational services and programs, and applies to clientele, participants, students, and staff who may be impaired.

Anyone attending a WSU Extension program that requires auxiliary aids or services should contact the organizer listed at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests made after two weeks prior to the event are not guaranteed implementation.

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Finding Out About Us

WSU Extension strives to offer a blend of programs to match audience needs, deliver those programs at times and locations suitable for potential clientele, and ensure all feel welcome to participate.

Extension must be able to demonstrate that federally funded programs or activities have been made available to the maximum possible potential audience of a given locale or area. We strive to ensure reasonable efforts have been made by:

  • Using available mass media (e.g., radio, newspaper, posters, newsletters, websites, television, or other forms of technology) to inform potential recipients of the program and of opportunities to participate.
  • Using personal letters, emails, and circulars (with dates and locations of meetings or other planned activities) addressed to defined potential recipients, inviting them to participate.
  • Conducting personal visits by WSU Extension professionals to a representative number of defined potential recipients, in the geographically defined area, to encourage participation.

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Why We Collect Data

Records must be maintained for a variety of purposes related to civil rights compliance. Extension programs are made possible by state and federal funding, and as recipients of this funding, we must comply with applicable federal civil rights laws. In order to show and improve upon our efforts in reaching underserved populations we request and document gender, race, and ethnic background information from our participants. We also must keep information about when you request an accommodations. Your county Extension office will also:

  • keep copies of mass media releases, newsletters, etc. along with a record of points of distribution to show that the public has been notified.
  • keep documentation of personal visits by recording and filing details of the visits including the name of the contact person, date and location of the visit, the person making the visit, and any summary responses and other related information about the visit.
  • keep copies of flyers, brochures, newsletters, etc.
  • keep copies of meeting rosters, mailing lists, news releases, camp enrollments, etc.
  • collect race, ethnicity and gender of those attending our programs, serving on advisory boards, and receiving mail/email about our programs as per our federal partner requirements.

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Complaints

Complaints may be filed by any individual, group of program recipients, or potential program recipients. Complainants have three options for filing complaints: informal complaint procedure, formal complaint procedure, and notification sent directly to USDA. If a program participant complains to the local office, the appropriate administrator is responsible for following the procedure set forth here.

Informal Resolution. Complainants are encouraged to use the informal resolution procedure. To do so, the complaint should be addressed to the County Director.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the County Director shall act promptly to mediate, conciliate, or otherwise achieve informal resolution.

Formal Complaints. If resolution is not achieved through a unit administrator, complainants may file a formal complaint with the WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights, 509-335-8288. The recipient of any formal complaint will investigate fully and promptly, with the aim of resolving the problem in an efficient and timely manner, and send a summary of the situation with a recommendation for action to the Associate Dean and Director, WSU Extension.

The Associate Dean and Director will review the file on the complaint, render a decision, initiate any necessary remedial action, and communicate in writing to the complainant.

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“And Justice For All” Posters

The public must be told of their right to file a discrimination complaint with USDA. The “And Justice for All” poster must be visibly displayed in meeting rooms and the main office. This advises participants that they can file complaints with the WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights at:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442
Phone: (866) 632-9992
Accessibilty Needs: (202) 720-2600 or (800) 877-8339
E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov

The “And Justice For All” Civil Rights poster is the primary method utilized to inform customers of their rights that displays information relevant to assisted programs, and comes in three versions:

  • AD-475A: (.pdf) This green poster is the Special Nutrition and Safety (SNAS) and Child Nutrition (CN) Programs version that should be used in offices, schools, and other sites that administer Special Nutrition Programs, including WIC.
  • AD-475B: (.pdf) This blue poster is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) version and should be posted in SNAP and FDPIR offices.
  • AD-475C: (.pdf) This red poster version is for Federally conducted programs. The language is all inclusive and should be displayed in NIFA offices.

Version AD-475C is to be prominently displayed in all offices where there is a NIFA presence. The poster should be placed where it may be viewed by employees and customers. Recipients of federally-assisted programs such as land-grant institutions are required to display this poster in their facilities where it can be viewed by customers.

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Help Us Reach Out

Please let us know how we can increase awareness of our program offerings in your community.

If you know a good place for us to post a flyer, place an ad, email a person or group, or be available in a location to provide information then please let us know!

Contact your County Extension Office

Info for Participants

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