Section III - County Commission Services

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (OFFICE)

954-357-7800 (Main)
954-857-6181 (Hearing Impaired/TTY)
www.broward.org/eeo

Governmental Center Annex
115 S. Andrews Ave A680
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301

The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) coordinates all Broward County Government equal opportunity programs.  The office provides administrative and management support to the Civil Rights Division, the Small Business Development Division, and the Internal Investigations and Oversight Section.

Civil Rights Division
954-357-7800 (Complaints and Investigations)
954-357-6181 (Hearing Impaired/TTY)
www.broward.org/eeo

The Civil Rights Division is dedicated to protecting the rights of all residents of Broward County, and ensuring their ability to live, work, and enjoy equal access in an environment free of unlawful discrimination.  The Civil Rights Division investigates external complaints of alleged discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations filed by members of the public.

Any member of the public who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability and retaliation, sexual orientation, marital status, and political affiliation, may file a complaint with this Division. A Civil Rights Specialist will investigate the complaint and assist both parties in reaching an agreement.

Note: Internal Discrimination complaints from Broward County applicants and employees are handled by the Office of Equal Opportunity Internal Investigations and Oversight section.

Community Relations Section

The Community Relations Section provides training and outreach services to the community regarding employment practices, fair housing, public accommodations, and diversity. The section also educates and trains supervisors and managers on the impact of equal employment opportunity laws and guidelines on all aspects of employee relations.

Discrimination (See also Internal Investigations and Oversight)

Discrimination issues from the general public are handled by the Civil Rights in the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Internal Investigations and Oversight
954-357-6500

The Internal Investigations and Oversight section administers and managed four program areas: Disability Affairs, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; internal Equal Employment Opportunity; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance; and Professional Standards (whistleblower, misfeasance, and malfeasance investigations).

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA)
954 357 7800
www.broward.org/eeo

The Office of Equal Opportunity's Disabilities Affairs section has been designated to ensure the coordination of Broward County's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including the investigation of any complaint alleging disability-based discrimination or lack of equal accessibility to county services, programs, or facilities. Broward County has adopted grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints regarding discrimination or lack of accessibility to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Title I of the ADA provides protection from unlawful disability-based discrimination in all aspects of employment and hiring. It allows qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to request reasonable accommodation to perform job duties. Title II of the ADA requires that all County programs, services and activities be accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Disability Affairs Section coordinates Broward County's efforts to implement and comply with Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA Administration serves as a technical advisor to all County departments, divisions and offices on ADA issues, serves as staff liaison to the Advisory Board for individuals with Disabilities, and monitors ADA compliance. Applicants and employees of Broward County who make requests for reasonable accommodations under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are also handled by this section.

This section provides guidance and technical assistance in the identification, implementation, and maintenance of the County's privacy policies and procedures.  In addition, the section acts as a central point of contact for HIPAA-related inquiries, information requests, and grievance, and coordinates HIPAA compliance training activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Section

This section investigates complaints of alleged discrimination filed by employees or applicants to Broward County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability and retaliation, sexual orientation, marital status, and political affiliation. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Section is also responsible for monitoring the County's affirmative action and equal employment opportunity efforts.

Professional Standards

The Professional Standards group oversees the County's whistleblower program, and investigates complaints of waste, fraud, abuse, or other improper conduct, on the part of County agencies, employees, and contractors. The program directly impacts all organizations under the County Administrator, and protects the County's interest in responsible government by expeditiously investigating any complaints or wrongdoing that are filed in good faith under the program.

Small Business Development Division
954 357 6400
www.broward.org/smallbusiness

The primary mission of the Small Business Development Division is to promote equal access to Broward County procurement opportunities for small, minority, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises. The Division is responsible for developing and implementing procedures/programs for increasing the number of local small businesses bidding on and winning contracts in Broward County as well as leveling the field for minority and women-owned businesses in County procurement.  These procedures include eliminating practices and procedures that restrict the ability of small, minority and women-owned businesses to compete for contracts; developing and maintaining relationships with the small/minority/women-owned business communities; providing technical assistance on doing business with Broward County; developing training activities for Broward County staff; and communicating the Broward County Government's commitment to equal opportunity for all minority and women-owned businesses located in the local market area and Broward County small businesses.

Updated March, 2007

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