1709.11_20
Page 1 of 9
FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION (PSW)
ALBANY, CA
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Supplement No.: PSW_1709.11-2005-02
Effective Date: August 9, 2005
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JAMES R. SEDELL
Station Director
Date Approved: 07/26/2005
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was PSW_1709.11-2001-01 to Chapter 10.
New Document
1709.11_20
Superseded Document(s)
by Issuance Number and
Effective Date
none
9 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
20.3- PSW policy added.
22 – Strategic Communication Plan for Public Notification and Outreach added.
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 2 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Table of Contents
20.3 – Policy ............................................................................................................................... 3
22 – STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND
OUTREACH ......................................................................................................... 3
A. The objectives of the Pacific Southwest Research Station Plan are: ................................ 3
B. Public notification and outreach shall: .............................................................................. 4
C. Public contact under this plan includes: ............................................................................ 4
D. Public Notification and Outreach Procedures: .................................................................. 4
E. Nondiscrimination Statement: ........................................................................................... 5
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 3 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
20.3 – Policy
It is the policy of the Pacific Southwest Research Station:
1. That no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family
status in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Pacific Southwest
Research Station.
2. To reach out in a proactive way to persons who have not participated equally in its
programs and activities in the past. This policy will be demonstrated to persons through all
public contacts.
3. Not to participate in any public meeting in which persons are illegally discriminated
against because of their race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
4. To provide for equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations to the known
physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants for employment and employees with
disabilities. (DR 4300-8)
5. To use positive examples of employment and program participation by minorities,
women and other protected groups in pictures and other visual and audio public information
materials.
22 – STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND
OUTREACH
A. The objectives of the Pacific Southwest Research Station Plan are:
1. To enhance the public’s awareness of Forest Service program benefits and services by
ensuring that program information reaches the widest range of people including women,
minorities and persons with disabilities.
2. To communicate to the public, through all appropriate public information channels,
the Forest Service policy that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or
family status in employment or in any program or activity provided by the Forest Service, and to
inform the public of the procedures for filing a complaint.
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 4 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
3. To encourage the participation and involvement of underserved populations and
communities, and limited English proficient individuals and groups, in Forest Service programs
and services.
B. Public notification and outreach shall:
Increase public awareness, improve community relations, and increase outreach
efforts to nontraditional publics, women, minorities, and people with disabilities.
2. Enhance awareness of career opportunities both inside and outside the Pacific
Southwest Research Station (PSW).
3. Develop both formal and informal information exchange networks with organizations
and communities.
4. Ensure that all affected publics are notified of ongoing programs or new initiatives.
5. Ensure that all civil rights activities are conducted in accordance with the direction in
FSH 1709.11.
C. Public contact under this plan includes:
1. Publics served by PSW units and employees while at their place of work and in the
performance of their official duties.
2. Publics voluntarily served by PSW employees while working outside the scope of
their normal duties but while in pay status and while they are representing the Forest Service.
This includes, but is not limited to, educational programs for school and community groups,
natural resource conservation education programs, and community outreach projects.
D. Public Notification and Outreach Procedures:
1. Include the nondiscrimination statement, in full, on all new information items, as well
as in reprints or revisions to existing publications and websites which are produced by PSW. A
rule of reason will be applied to the need for the statement in specific situations. Questions as to
the appropriateness for including the nondiscrimination statement may be referred to Civil Rights
for policy guidance.
2. Include the nondiscrimination statement on all merit promotion and demo vacancy
announcements for PSW.
3. Conduct interviews with beneficiaries, recipients and special interest groups to
evaluate the effectiveness of program delivery.
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 5 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
4. Create opportunities to maximize public contact (meetings, Career Days, reception
areas, mail out, workshops, etc.)
5. Ensure through normal distribution and review processes that notices of the USDA
non-discrimination statement are prominently posted in offices of recipients who receive Federal
assistance. In general, the USDA poster "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" will be used for this
purpose except for suitable substitutes in outdoor areas where necessary. Civil Rights shall be
responsible, upon notification of need, for distributing posters to recipients.
6. Prominently display "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" posters in all PSW facilities and
areas of public contact.
7. Ensure that all persons, especially those who previously may not have participated
fully, know about the availability of, and how to effectively use, USDA program services.
8. Encourage the participation of nontraditional public in free use of programs through
personal contact, news releases, etc.
9. Include appropriate references to USDA equal opportunity policy in public speeches
and meetings.
10. Decline to participate in meetings that are not in compliance with applicable
nondiscrimination requirements.
11. Provide materials in alternative means of communication (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) upon request, and as deemed appropriate.
12. Ensure pictures, graphics, and photos of people include minorities, women, and
people with disabilities.
13. Provide items of public interest, articles and photographs that highlight PSW events,
involving the public, to local news media.
14. Utilize minority-owned media and publications to provide information to minority
communities.
15. Provide opportunities to participate with minorities, women and persons with
disabilities for feedback on informational needs.
E. Nondiscrimination Statement:
The nondiscrimination statement set out below shall be posted in all offices and included, in full,
on all materials which are produced by the Pacific Southwest Research Station for public
information, public education and/or public distribution. The statement specifically lists all the
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 6 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
prohibited bases for discrimination contained in the USDA Civil Rights Policy Statement. The
statement shall be in English and in languages appropriate to the local population, and in
alternative means of communication (e.g., Braille, large print audiotape, etc.) as deemed
appropriate.
The USDA nondiscrimination statement for conducted programs that the FS must post in all
offices and use on all new or reprinted materials for the purpose of public information, public
education, and public distribution is:
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Room 326-W. Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer."
If the material is too small to permit the full statement to be included, the material will at
minimum include the statement, in print size no smaller than the text, that "The USDA is an
equal opportunity provider and employer."
The nondiscrimination statement for assisted programs contains only those bases referred to in
applicable Federal law. Recipients of Federal financial assistance are to post this statement in all
primary and secondary recipient offices and in materials for the purpose of public information,
education, and distribution:
"In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution
is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or
disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room
326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410
or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer."
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 7 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
22 – Exhibit 01
Strategic Communication Plan for Public Notification and Outreach
Action
Provide employees with access to
the Public Notification Plan. Post a
copy on the PSW fsweb.
Responsible Official
All Unit Staffs
Requirement
Annual on
April 1
Ensure USDA “And Justice for
All” posters are posted at all Forest
Service public reception areas
Civil Rights /
Communication Staffs
Distributed to all field
units annually on
September 30
Include the non-discrimination
statement on all materials produced
by the Forest Service for public
information, public education, or
public distribution, e.g., websites,
publications, brochures,
newsletters, maps.
Civil Rights /
Communication Staffs
On going
Include appropriate reference to
Forest Service equal opportunity
policy in public speeches and
meetings when appropriate.
Staffs/Scientists
On going
Look for opportunities to inform
underserved populations and
communities about Forest Service
programs and opportunities.
Staffs/Program Managers
On going
a) Develop and maintain a list
of Statewide/National
organizations for Title VI
outreach.
Civil Rights /
Communication Staffs
On going
b) Units maintain lists of local
groups/contacts.
All Units
On going
c) Attend career days, fairs,
community events, etc. to
maximize public contact.
Representatives from Unit On going
near event
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 8 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
d) Inform businesses of SBA
PSW Facilities / R5
(section 8(a)) contracting
Contracting, as
opportunities with the Forest appropriate
Service.
On going
Establish outreach programs at the
local level. Take action to inform
the general public, community
leaders, and grassroots
organizations about FS programs.
Unit leaders
On going
Expand media contact beyond
mainstream outlets to include both
print and broadcast media outlets
targeted to minorities and other
underserved populations.
Communication
On going
Publicize civil rights success
stories; target minority-oriented
media as well as internal audience.
Civil Rights /
Communication Staffs
On going
Ensure that photographs and other
graphics images used in
information products display
participants of different races,
genders, national origins and that
the message of equal opportunity is
conveyed.
Communication
On going
Ensure that information products
Staffs/Units
used by Forest Service recipients
(e.g., grant recipients) to inform the
public about a particular program or
activity contain the appropriate
nondiscrimination statement and
use images that reflect diversity.
On going
Avoid participating in any public
All Units
meeting sponsored by an
organization or held in facilities that
illegally discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex,
On going
PSW SUPPLEMENT 1709.11-2005-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/09/2005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
1709.11_20
Page 9 of 9
FSH 1709.11 – CIVIL RIGHTS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
religion, age, disability, political
belief, sexual orientation, or marital
or family status.
Ensure that meeting facilities are
accessible and that reasonably
necessary auxiliary aids or services
(e.g., sign language interpreters) for
people with impaired sensory,
manual or speaking skills are
offered in meeting notices.
All Units
On going
Ensure that videos produced and
distributed by PSW are closedcaptioned.
Communication
On going
Provide material in alternative
means of communication (e.g.,
Braille, large print, audio-tape)
when requested.
Communication
On going
Utilize the internet as a means of
providing timely and accurate
information about Forest Service
programs, activities and policies.
Communication
On going
Ensure PSW compliance for
meeting Section 508 Amendments
of the Rehabilitation Act involving
the accessibility of web-based
intranet and internet information
and applications.
Communication
On going
Ensure TTYs are in place and staffs
are knowledgeable about their
operation and about the Federal
Information Relay Service (1-800877-8339). Ensure that TTY
numbers are listed wherever voice
phone numbers are listed.
All Units
On going