Non-Discrimination policy

A. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulation, PA Cares will, directly or through contractual or other arrangement, admit and treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin in its provision of services and benefits, including assignments or transfers within facilities. Compliance also extends to:

1. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations, the agency will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, discriminate on the basis of disability (mental or physical) in admissions, access, care or employment. The Administrator has been designated as the coordinator for implementation of this policy.
2. In accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and its implementing regulation, the agency will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, discriminate on the basis of age in the provision of services unless age is a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any statutory objective.
3. In accordance with Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, the agency will not discriminate, on the basis of disability, exclude or deny a qualified individual with a disability from participation in, or benefits of the services, programs or activities of the agency.
   
   

B. To comply with these non-discrimination rules and regulations, PA Cares will:

1. Provide participant care in a manner that does not discriminate against persons regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
2. Hire staff, whether employees or contractors, regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
3. Provide reasonable accommodation for any disabled employees.
4. Assign staff to client cases regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
5. Report all possible issues of discrimination immediately to the Administrator.
6. Print the following statement on brochures and other public materials: “Client care will be provided in a manner that does not discriminate against persons regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or age.”
7. Make program services accessible to eligible persons with disabilities through the
   most practical and economically feasible methods available, including, but not limited
   to:
   • A. Equipment redesign.
   • B. Provision of aides.
   • C. Use of alternative service delivery locations, with structural modifications considered only as a last resort.
8. Make all participants, family members/representatives and staff aware that complaints of potential discriminatory behavior may be made to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at (800) 254-5164 or Office of Equal Opportunity at 717-772-9197 or (800) 622-5422, and/or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at 717-787-4410 or for the hearing impaired / TTY users only 717-787-7279.

   
   Pennsylvania Department of Health 
   Quality Assurance Complaint Hotline 
   1-800-757-5042 
   Room 526 Health and Welfare Building 
   625 Forster Street 
   Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701

9. Complaints can also be filed with the following:

   
   Philadelphia Regional Office 
   110 North 8 th Street, Suite 501 
   Philadelphia, PA 19107 
   (215) 560-2496 
   (215) 560-3599 TTY users only 
   Office Hours:  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F 
   (serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties)

   Department of Human Services
   Bureau of Equal Opportunity
   Room 223, Health & Welfare Building
   P.O. Box 2675
   Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
   (717) 787-1127 (VOICE)
   (717) 772-4366 (FAX)
   TTY: 1-800-654-5484

   Department of Labor & Industry
   Office of Equal Opportunity
   Room 1402 Labor & Industry Building
   651 Boas St
   Harrisburg, PA 17121
   Phone: 717-772-9197 Or 1-800-622-5422
   TDD/TTY: 1-800-654-5984
   Fax: 717-772-2321

   Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission 
   Executive Offices 
   333 Market St., 8th Floor 
   Harrisburg, PA  17101-2210 
   (717) 787-4410 
   (717) 787-7279 TTY users only 
   Office Hours:  8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F 
   phrc@pa.gov