Civil Rights

Nevada County Department of Social Services must adhere to state and federal civil rights laws that protect the rights of individuals from unlawful discrimination. Unlawful discrimination happens when someone treats a person differently because of personal characteristics that are recognized by state and federal laws as being part of a protected class. You have the right to receive the same services, consideration, and equal treatment given to all other applicants or customers regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, sex, political affiliation, domestic partnership, ethnic group identification, disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship, primary language, and/or immigration status.

Language Access

Nevada County is committed to ensuring that effective bilingual/interpretive services are provided to serve the needs of the non-English speaking population and individuals with disabilities. The provision of bilingual/interpretive services shall be prompt without undue delays. This need shall be met by having enough qualified bilingual staff, the use of interpreters, language line, and forms and materials in other languages.

Reasonable Accommodations

Nevada County is committed to ensuring equal and meaningful access for individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Nevada County Department of Social Services has a responsibility to ensure that people with disabilities are not excluded from participation in the benefits of programs, services, activities, or otherwise subject to discrimination. This includes the obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and effective communication through auxiliary aids and services. Reasonable accommodation requests may be made in person, by telephone, or in writing by the applicant/recipient or another individual acting on their behalf (this person does not have to be an authorized representative).

To request Reasonable Accommodations please complete the form here.

Discrimination Complaints

If you have applied for or are currently receiving benefits or services from Nevada County Department of Social Services and you feel that you have been discriminated against, you may submit a complaint to the Civil Rights Coordinator in writing, by phone, or by email. If the Civil Rights Coordinator determines that an investigation is needed, they will notify you in writing within 20 calendar days of receipt of the complaint. If the Civil Rights Coordinator determines not to investigate because the complaint does not meet criteria for a discrimination complaint, they will notify you within 40 calendar days of receipt of the complaint and include reasons for why the complaint has been dismissed.