Civil Rights

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services and its agencies are committed to providing services to our applicants and clients in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner. This obligation to comply with federal and state laws and regulations extends to service contractors, as well as any other agency, institution or organization participating in a health and human service program by contract or other arrangements.

The RI DHS Civil Rights Office has the responsibility to investigate claims of discrimination; to conduct new, periodic and special compliance reviews of offices, programs and contractors; to provide training and guidance; and to take other appropriate steps to ensure that programs and services do no discriminate.

For further information about these laws, regulations and DHS’ discrimination complaint procedures for resolution of discrimination, contact DHS at: 25 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. You can also call: 401-462-6427 (TDD 401-462-6239) 711 (or 1-800-745-6575 Voice).

Fill out the form below to file a discrimination complaint. Forms should be mailed to: Community Relations Liaison Officer, RI Department of Human Services, 25 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

 

Mail

Food and Nutrition Service, USDA

1320 Braddock Place, Room 334

Alexandria, VA 22314; or

 

Fax

        (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

Email

        FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

More information on how to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights is available here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-foods/how-file-complaint