Civil Rights Information

The Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) Civil Rights Coordinator ensures that Child Protective Services (CPS) and Senior and Adult Services (SAS) comply with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Division 21 Civil Rights regulations.

Division 21 ensures nondiscrimination in all state or federally assisted programs. No individual may be excluded, denied services, or discriminated against based on:

  • National origin
  • Color
  • Race
  • Ancestry
  • Ethnic group
  • Age
  • Sex / Gender / Gender identity / Gender expression
  • Sexual orientation
  • Marital status
  • Domestic partnership
  • Medical condition
  • Genetic information
  • Religion
  • Political affiliation
  • Citizenship / Immigration status
  • Disability


Applicable Laws and Regulations:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
  • The Food Stamp Act of 1977
  • California Civil Code, Section 51 et seq.
  • California Government Code, Section 11135 et seq.
  • California Government Code, Section 4450
  • California Welfare and Institution Codes
  • Other applicable federal and state laws and their implementing regulations

 

Applicable Programs:

  • Adoption Assistance Program (AAP)​
  • Adult Protective Services (APS)
  • ​Approved Relative Caregiver Funding Option Program (ARC)
  • Foster Care/Child Welfare Services
  • In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
  • Service Animal Allowance
  • Kinship Guardianship Assistance (KinGAP) 
  • Resource Family Approvals (RFA) 

 

Role of the Civil Rights Coordinator:

The DCFAS Civil Rights Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that Child Protective Services (CPS) and Senior and Adult Services (SAS) comply with CDSS Division 21 Civil Rights regulations. The coordinator oversees the discrimination complaint process and works to ensure that services are delivered in a nondiscriminatory, equitable, and accessible manner.

The primary purpose of the discrimination complaint review is to determine whether county welfare staff engaged in discriminatory conduct, as defined by CDSS Division 21 and related federal and state civil rights laws.

The Civil Rights Coordinator will:

  • Review allegations to assess whether discriminatory conduct occurred
  • Evaluate the actions of county staff and applicable policies in place at the time of the incident
  • Ensure compliance with Division 21 nondiscrimination requirements
  • Identify areas for improvement in county practices, training, or procedures
  • Provide findings and recommendations to prevent recurrence of discriminatory practices

 

Important Limitations of a Civil Rights Review

A civil rights discrimination review is limited in scope and does not:

  • Address parental or guardian rights, case decisions, placement concerns, custody issues, or legal due‑process rights.
  • Review, question, or overturn court decisions, placement orders, judicial findings, or rulings
  • Modify, reverse, or influence case outcomes or program decisions
  • Reopen or change juvenile court, probate court, or family court actions

The review focuses solely on whether discrimination occurred not on whether program decisions or court actions were correct.

Personnel and disciplinary matters involving DCFAS employees must be directed to the appropriate Agency Manager for review and resolution.

For assistance in other California counties, find the contact information of the Civil Rights Coordinator for your county at this site: County Civil Rights Coordinator Directory. You can submit your complaint in writing, by phone, or by email.

 

How to File a Civil Rights Complaint with DCFAS

If you believe you have been discriminated against while seeking or receiving services, you may file a civil rights complaint with the DCFAS Civil Rights Coordinator.

Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.

To help with your complaint, you may wish to:

  • Keep good records, notes, and documents
  • Save the names of staff you interacted with

 

DCFAS Civil Rights Coordinator
 9750 Business Park Dr., Suite 220
 Sacramento, CA 95827
 Email: DCFAS-Inquiries@saccounty.gov

If you prefer, you may also file your discrimination complaint directly with the State of California or with the appropriate federal agency.

 

How can I file a Civil Rights complaint with the State?

State Department of Social Services
744 P St. M/S 19-90
Sacramento, CA 95814

How to File a Complaint with the State

 

Additional ways to file a discrimination complaint

CA State

Child Protective Services or In-home Supportive Services:
Civil Rights Unit California Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 944243, M/S 8-16-70
Sacramento, CA 94244-2430
Phone 866-741-6241 (toll free)
Web: crb@dss.ca.gov

Adult Protective Services:
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758
800-884-1684
Web: https://www.dfeh.ca.gov 
Email: contact.center@dfeh.ca.gov

Federal

Only for discrimination based on Race, Color, National Origin, Disability, Age, or Sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity):

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Suite 515F, HHH Building
Washington, DC 20201
(800) 368-1019, (800) 537-7697 (TDD)
Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov
Web: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf