Technical Assistance

OCR ensures that recipients of Federal financial assistance from OJP, its component organizations, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) comply with the Federal statutes and regulations that prohibit discrimination in Federally assisted programs or activities. Recipients may not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and disability. They also may not discriminate in the delivery of services or benefits on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age. In addition, all recipients must comply with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) guidelines, and certain recipients must comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity Program requirements.

OCR offers technical assistance and training programs to recipients of OJP and COPS funding to meet Federal civil rights requirements. OCR works with formula grant recipients to provide training programs not only for their staffs but also for their subgrantees. A team of OCR attorneys and specialists is available to work with each recipient to design training programs that meet the particular needs of the recipient. OCR's training programs ordinarily include a half-day presentation for the recipient's administrators and program managers, followed by a series of 1-day workshops for subgrantees. The training program usually includes the following topics: presenting the Federal laws pertaining to nondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs, understanding discrimination in employment as well as in the delivery of services and benefits, reviewing the LEP guidelines, explaining OCR's enforcement methods, and offering step-by-step assistance in preparing an acceptable EEOP.

OCR is currently in the process of scheduling training programs for formula grant recipients throughout the United States and its territories. Recipients may request technical assistance by contacting OCR at askOCR@ojp.usdoj.gov.