Non-Discrimination Policy

Introduction

R.E.A.C.H.—Real Educational Answers for Community Hope—is committed to creating a welcoming environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.
This Non-Discrimination Policy affirms our pledge to provide equal access to all programs, services, employment opportunities, and volunteer activities without discrimination of any kind.
We believe that diversity enriches our organization, strengthens our community, and enhances the quality of the services we provide to residents of Luzerne County.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of R.E.A.C.H. that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any program, service, or employment opportunity on the basis of:

  • Race, color, or ethnicity
  • National origin or ancestry
  • Religion or creed
  • Sex, gender identity, or gender expression
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age
  • Disability (physical, mental, or sensory)
  • Marital, familial, or parental status
  • Pregnancy or related medical conditions
  • Genetic information
  • Military or veteran status
  • Economic status or source of income
  • Any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law

This policy applies to all aspects of R.E.A.C.H. operations, including but not limited to program enrollment, service delivery, hiring, promotions, compensation, volunteer opportunities, and access to facilities.

Legal Compliance

R.E.A.C.H. adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local non-discrimination laws and regulations, including:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin)
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (employment discrimination)
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (disability rights)
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex discrimination in education programs)
  • Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and other relevant state statutes

Compliance with these laws is a fundamental requirement of employment, volunteer participation, and program delivery at R.E.A.C.H.

Scope of Coverage

This policy applies to:

  1. Programs and Services – All educational, counseling, workforce, and outreach programs offered by R.E.A.C.H.
  2. Employment Practices – Recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, transfers, compensation, benefits, and termination.
  3. Volunteer Engagement – Recruitment, training, assignments, and recognition of volunteers and interns.
  4. Partnerships and Vendors – Expectations for contractors, service providers, and partner agencies to uphold equivalent non-discrimination standards.

Implementation and Responsibilities

Maintaining a discrimination-free environment is a shared responsibility.

  • Board of Directors ensures organizational compliance, approves policies, and monitors implementation.
  • Executive Leadership provides resources, enforces accountability, and models inclusive behavior.
  • Supervisors and Managers train staff, address concerns promptly, and ensure that policies are applied consistently.
  • All Employees and Volunteers are expected to uphold the values of respect and inclusion in daily interactions with participants, colleagues, and community members.

Equal Opportunity in Employment

R.E.A.C.H. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.
Recruitment materials, job postings, and interviews are designed to encourage diverse applicants and eliminate barriers to employment.
Accommodations are provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to ensure full participation in the hiring process and workplace activities.

Accessibility and Accommodations

R.E.A.C.H. is committed to providing programs and facilities that are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.

  • Physical Accessibility: All offices, classrooms, and event spaces meet or exceed ADA standards.
  • Program Modifications: Reasonable accommodations, such as interpreters, alternative formats, or schedule adjustments, are available upon request.
  • Digital Accessibility: The organization strives to maintain an accessible website following WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.

Requests for accommodations can be made by contacting info@letsreachtogether.org or calling 570-730-6081 at least 48 hours before a scheduled service or event.

Language Access

R.E.A.C.H. provides free language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency.

  • Bilingual staff and interpreters are available for key programs.
  • Important documents are translated into commonly used languages in Luzerne County.
  • Participants may request translation or interpretation at no cost.

Anti-Harassment Policy

Discrimination often appears in the form of harassment. R.E.A.C.H. strictly prohibits any verbal, physical, or visual conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to:

  • Unwelcome jokes, slurs, or name-calling
  • Derogatory comments about protected characteristics
  • Physical intimidation or unwanted touching
  • Display of offensive materials in the workplace or service areas

Harassment of employees, participants, volunteers, or visitors will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or removal from programs.

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

Individuals who experience or witness discrimination or harassment are encouraged to report concerns promptly.
Reports may be submitted in any of the following ways:

  • Email: compliance@letsreachtogether.org
  • Phone: 570-730-6081 (ask for the Compliance Officer)
  • In Person: Submit a written or verbal report to any staff member or supervisor.

Reports can be made anonymously, although providing contact information allows R.E.A.C.H. to conduct a more thorough investigation.

Investigation and Resolution

R.E.A.C.H. takes all complaints seriously and will:

  1. Acknowledge Receipt: Confirm that the report has been received within five business days.
  2. Conduct a Prompt Investigation: Gather information through interviews and review of relevant records while maintaining confidentiality to the extent possible.
  3. Take Corrective Action: Implement appropriate remedies, which may include mediation, training, or disciplinary action against individuals who violate this policy.
  4. Communicate Outcomes: Inform the complainant of the results of the investigation and any steps taken.

Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited.

Training and Education

To ensure understanding and compliance, R.E.A.C.H.:

  • Provides annual training for all employees and volunteers on diversity, equity, inclusion, and harassment prevention.
  • Offers specialized workshops for supervisors on handling complaints and maintaining an inclusive environment.
  • Integrates non-discrimination principles into orientation for new staff, volunteers, and board members.

Partner and Vendor Expectations

R.E.A.C.H. expects all contractors, partner agencies, and vendors to comply with equivalent non-discrimination standards.
Partnership agreements include clauses requiring adherence to federal and state civil rights laws.
Vendors that fail to meet these requirements may have contracts terminated.

Continuous Improvement

Diversity and inclusion are ongoing commitments. R.E.A.C.H. regularly reviews policies, gathers feedback from participants and staff, and adapts programs to address emerging needs.
Annual impact reports include data on participant demographics, service accessibility, and progress toward equity goals.

Examples of Inclusive Practices

To illustrate how this policy operates in daily practice, R.E.A.C.H.:

  • Schedules community events at accessible locations served by public transportation.
  • Offers sliding-scale fees and scholarship opportunities to remove economic barriers.
  • Uses inclusive language and imagery in marketing materials.
  • Encourages community input through surveys and open forums to ensure programs reflect the diverse needs of Luzerne County residents.

Enforcement

Violations of this policy by staff, volunteers, or participants will result in prompt corrective action, which may include:

  • Counseling or additional training
  • Written warnings
  • Suspension or termination of employment or volunteer status
  • Removal from programs or events

Serious violations may also be reported to appropriate government agencies.

Contact Information

Questions or requests regarding this policy, accommodations, or the complaint process may be directed to:

R.E.A.C.H. – Real Educational Answers for Community Hope
Compliance Officer
Phone: 570-730-6081
Email: compliance@letsreachtogether.org
Address: [Insert current Luzerne County office address]

Call to Action

R.E.A.C.H. invites every resident, participant, and partner to join us in building a community where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is eliminated.
By working together, we can create a stronger Luzerne County where opportunity and respect are within reach for all.

Conclusion

This Non-Discrimination Policy reflects R.E.A.C.H.’s unwavering commitment to fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
Through proactive education, transparent reporting systems, and strong enforcement, we ensure that every individual—regardless of background or identity—has the right to learn, recover, work, and thrive in a safe and welcoming environment.