NC State Extension is currently participating in a Civil Rights Review conducted by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This routine review is an important opportunity to ensure that our programs, policies, and practices align with federal civil rights requirements and continue to serve all communities effectively.

What is the NIFA Civil Rights Review?

As a recipient of federal funding, NC State Extension is required to comply with federal laws and executive orders that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. The NIFA Civil Rights Review helps verify that we are meeting these obligations and maintaining open access to our programs and services.

Why This Review Matters

The review provides several key benefits:

• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies
• Offers guidance and technical assistance to improve programs and processes
• Helps prevent issues related to noncompliance, including complaints or investigations
• Establishes a benchmark for staff awareness and understanding of civil rights responsibilities

What to Expect

The review process includes several phases:

• Document Review (Current Phase): Extension is compiling and submitting requested materials
• Interviews: NIFA will identify employees for interviews in early summer
• Findings: NIFA will provide feedback and identify areas for improvement
• Monitoring: Extension will implement any needed procedural updates
• Certification: Upon successful completion, NIFA will issue certification of compliance

How You Can Help

Every employee plays a role in ensuring compliance and fostering inclusive programming. Please keep the following practices in mind:

• Offer programs that are open and accessible to all participants
• Include the official nondiscrimination statement on all public-facing materials
• Add an accommodation statement to event announcements and registration materials
• Provide partners with a notice of nondiscrimination and log it in XCR
• Record all accommodation and language service requests in XCR

Moving Forward

This review is not only a compliance requirement—it’s an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to open access and community outreach. By working together, we can ensure that NC State Extension continues to serve all communities effectively and uphold the highest standards of public service. Additional information about your role in ensuring civil rights compliance can be found on the Extension civil rights webpage.