Section 214-RICR-10-00-1.14 - NondiscriminationA. The Department ensures nondiscrimination and equal opportunity to all persons.B. Each program or activity for which the Department receives federal financial assistance is operated in accordance with this section. No individual, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, handicap (including impaired vision or hearing), sex, sexual orientation, religious belief, or political belief, is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any of the Department's programs or activities. The prohibition against discriminatory practices extends also to services purchased or obtained by the Department for other agencies, organizations, and institutions; for the beneficiaries of the program; and for the treatment of clients in facilities in which such services are provided.C. The Department strictly prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status or disability or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.D. The Department requires staff and service providers to respect the dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex (hereinafter, LGBTQQI) youth. The Department, its staff, providers, interns and/or volunteers offer services and interventions to youth without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. LGBTQQI youth receive fair and equal treatment in a professional and confidential manner based on Department policy, state and federal law and regulation and principles of sound professional practice, including culturally competent mental health and medical care. LGBTQQI youth are protected from verbal, physical and/or sexual harassment or assault based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.1.14.1Grievance ProceduresA. An individual who wishes to allege discrimination has several options, one or more of which may be pursued simultaneously: 1. File a complaint with the Department;2. File a complaint with the State Equal Opportunity Office;3. File a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights;4. Appeal an Agency Decision to the EOHHS Hearing Officer. He/she may raise civil rights issues through the Administrative Hearing Process;5. File a complaint with office of the appropriate federal funding agency; and6. File a lawsuit alleging civil rights violations in State or Federal Court.214 R.I. Code R. 214-RICR-10-00-1.14
Adopted effective 12/27/2018