Civil Rights - Program Development Dept. (Lea County)

Civil rights plans are supported by Lea County Extension personnel through Equal Employment Opportunity statements on newsletters, fliers, brochures, and press releases and also through programming efforts offered by the LES. Programming plans are made to ensure that every effort is made to meet the requirements for Civil Rights. Programs in the county share reflect this effort as our office is ensuring that we are meeting the needs of the minority clients.
The make-up of the LES agents Advisory Committee is consistent with the demographics in the county and representation is evident. The advisory committee meets annually and is active in the programming efforts for the LES in Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H programming.

Civil Rights plans are supported by Lea County Extension personnel, not just through programming, but also through Equal Employment Opportunity statements on newsletters, fliers, brochures, and press releases. Programming plans are made to ensure that every effort is made to meet the requirements for Civil Rights. Programs in the county have shared this effort as we are now meeting the needs of minority clients.
Current makeup of the agents Advisory Committee is consistent with the demographics in the county and representation is evident. The advisory committee meets yearly and is active in the programming efforts for the Lea County Agriculture/4-H Program.

For the reporting year the Lea County Extension Office is taking an active role in addressing issues concerning Civil Rights. Through Agriculture programs, Home Economics programs, and 4-H programs. The office is making sure that the majority of publications and news letters have the NMSU logo and disclamier attached. We discuss as a staff on how we can better meet the needs of the communities in the county and understand the basis on which program discrimination is prohibited in Extension programing. Also, a file is kept in the extension office with updated information regarding Civil Rights and new information is posted within the office and on the bulletin board for opportunities with in the university system. As an office work facilities are consistent with rehabilitation regulations and are fully accessible to disabled people.

For the reporting year the Lea County Office has gone through its three year civil rights review. Reports found that the office is doing its utmost to provide programs for the various demographics located within the county. With monthly office meetings the staff of the office visit civil rights issues. We discuss how as a staff how we can better meet the needs of the communities in the county and understand the basis on which program disceimination is prohibited in Extension programs. Also, we visit with our advisory committees and input any concerns that arise from these meetings. Additoinal meetings are held with Lea County volunteers to understand the importance of not discriminating against individuals that are involved with such programs. With every publication or program advertising a nondiscrimination statement is used. Work facilities are consistent with rehabilitation regulations and are fully accessible to disabled people.

Impact: Agent and respective staff are working to maintain and update current Civil Rights file. The agent has included the NMSU Civil Rights disclaimer on all outgoing educational information that is sent from the Lea extension office.