Functional Statements > Office for Civil Rights

Sections

1. Mission and Responsibilities
2. Organization
3. Order of Succession
4. Functions and Responsibilities of OCR Components
1. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary
2. Metro Region
5. Primary Delegations of Authority

I. Mission and Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on civil rights matters. The Office directs, coordinates, and recommends policy for activities that are designed to:

• Administer the provisions of legislation and Departmental policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age.
• Develop and recommend the adoption of regulations and policies of general applicability regarding civil rights.
• Conduct investigations and negotiations to secure voluntary compliance and conduct administrative enforcement proceedings to secure compliance with legislative and regulatory civil rights requirements.
• Conduct research and surveys on civil rights issues and on the participation of minorities, women, the aged, and handicapped persons in Federally assisted education programs.
• Assist other Departmental offices in developing and implementing plans to meet civil rights objectives.
• Assist recipients of Departmental funding to understand their responsibilities consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Assist beneficiaries of programs and activities that receive Departmental funding to understand their rights consistent with statutory and regulatory provisions.

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II. Organization

The Office for Civil Rights is under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, who reports to the Secretary and Under Secretary. The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights provides overall direction, coordination, and leadership to the following major elements:

• Resource Management Group
• Program Legal Group
• Enforcement Divisions.

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III. Order of Succession

In the event that the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office, and the office is thereby deemed to be vacant, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement shall temporarily perform the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity.

In instances where the office is not vacant, but the Assistant Secretary for Management is absent, the following officials, in the order shown, shall perform the functions and duties of the office:

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement; and
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy.

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