Identifying Barriers in USDA Programs and Services; Advancing Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities at USDA, 32013-32015 [2021-12612]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32013-32015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12612]


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 16, 2021 / 
Notices

[[Page 32013]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket ID: USDA-2021-0006]


Identifying Barriers in USDA Programs and Services; Advancing 
Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities at 
USDA

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting input 
from the public on how it can advance racial justice and equity for 
underserved communities as part of its implementation of Executive 
Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government. USDA is requesting input to 
identify barriers that people of color and underserved communities and 
individuals may face in obtaining information from USDA. This includes 
accessing, enrolling, and participating in USDA programs and services, 
and engaging with USDA staff. USDA seeks to identify opportunities in 
current USDA policies, regulations, and guidance to address systemic 
inequities. USDA requests input on how to best engage external 
stakeholders and community members representing marginalized, 
vulnerable, or underserved communities in order to increase 
participation in USDA programs, services, committees and decision-
making processes. In the months ahead, USDA will establish a Racial 
Equity Commission. The Racial Equity Commission will focus specifically 
on addressing systemic impediments to equity in USDA programs. USDA is 
asking for comments on any and all interactions with USDA programs. All 
comments will be aggregated, summarized, and shared with USDA 
Leadership and the Racial Equity Commission. The Racial Equity 
Commission may choose to seek additional input to meet its goals and 
objectives. USDA will continue to reach out to stakeholders and 
community members for the purposes of Executive Order 13985 and to 
fulfill its mission.

DATES: We will consider comments received by July 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may 
submit comments, identified by Docket ID: FSA-2021-0006, by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. All public comments received are subject to the Freedom of 
Information Act and will be posted in their entirety at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal or business confidential 
information provided. Do not include any information you would not like 
to be made publicly available.
    Written responses should not exceed 20 pages, inclusive of a 1-page 
cover page as described below. Attachments or linked resources or 
documents are not included in the 20-page limit. Please respond 
concisely, in plain language, and in narrative format. You may respond 
to some or all of the questions listed in this document. Please ensure 
it is clear which question you are responding to. You may also include 
links to online material or interactive presentations but please ensure 
all links are publicly available. Each response should include:
     The name of the individual(s) and organization responding;
     The Area section(s) (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) that your 
submission and materials support;
     A brief description of the responding individual(s) or 
organization's mission or areas of expertise, including any public-
private partnerships with Federal, State, tribal, territorial, or local 
governments within the past 3 years that are relevant to this document; 
and
     A contact for questions or other follow-up on your 
response.
    By responding to this document, each participant (individual, team, 
or legal entity) warrants that they are the sole author or owner of, or 
has the right to use, any copyrightable works that are included in the 
submission, that the works are wholly original (or is an improved 
version of an existing work that the participant has sufficient rights 
to use and improve), and that the submission does not infringe any 
copyright or any other rights of any third party of which the 
participant is aware.
    Comments previously submitted during the Tribal Consultation on the 
Racial Equity Executive Order do not need to be resubmitted; your 
comments will be included in this record.
    Participants will not be required to transfer their intellectual 
property rights to USDA, but participants must grant to the Federal 
government a nonexclusive license to apply, share, and use the 
materials that are included in the submission. To participate, each 
participant must warrant that there are no legal obstacles to providing 
the above-referenced nonexclusive licenses of participant rights to the 
Federal government.
    Interested parties who respond to this document may be contacted 
for a follow-up strategic agency assessment dialogue, discussion, 
event, crowdsource campaign, or competition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Issues regarding submission or 
questions can be sent to Liz Archuleta--phone number: 202-720-7095; or 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for 
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, states:

    Equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy, and our 
diversity is one of our country's greatest strengths. But for too 
many, the American Dream remains out of reach. Entrenched 
disparities in our laws and public policies, and in our public and 
private institutions, have often denied that equal opportunity to 
individuals and communities. Our country faces converging economic, 
health, and climate crises that have exposed and exacerbated 
inequities, while a historic movement for justice has highlighted 
the unbearable human costs of systemic racism. Our Nation deserves 
an ambitious whole-of-government equity agenda that matches the 
scale of the opportunities and challenges that we face.
    It is therefore the policy of my Administration that the Federal 
Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing 
equity for all, including people of color and others who have been 
historically

[[Page 32014]]

underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent 
poverty and inequality. Affirmatively advancing equity, civil 
rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility 
of the whole of our Government. Because advancing equity requires a 
systematic approach to embedding fairness in decision-making 
processes, executive departments and agencies (agencies) must 
recognize and work to redress inequities in their policies and 
programs that serve as barriers to equal opportunity.
    By advancing equity across the Federal Government, we can create 
opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been 
historically underserved, which benefits everyone. For example, an 
analysis shows that closing racial gaps in wages, housing credit, 
lending opportunities, and access to higher education would amount 
to an additional $5 trillion in gross domestic product in the 
American economy over the next 5 years. The Federal government's 
goal in advancing equity is to provide everyone with the opportunity 
to reach their full potential. Consistent with these aims, each 
agency must assess whether, and to what extent, its programs and 
policies perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits 
for people of color and other underserved groups. Such assessments 
will better equip agencies to develop policies and programs that 
deliver resources and benefits equitably to all.

Definitions

    The term ``equity'' means the consistent and systematic fair, just, 
and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who 
belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, 
such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, 
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; 
members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 
and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live 
in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent 
poverty or inequality.
    The term ``underserved communities'' means populations sharing a 
particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have 
been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects 
of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the 
preceding definition of ``equity.''

Required Assessment and Plan

    Within 200 days of the date of Executive Order 13985 (by August 8, 
2021), agencies must submit to the Assistant to the President for 
Domestic Policy an assessment of the state of equity for underserved 
communities and individuals, including on the following points, for 
example:
     Barriers that underserved communities and individuals may 
face to enrollment in and access to benefits and services in Federal 
programs;
     Barriers that underserved communities and individuals may 
face in participation in agency procurement and contracting 
opportunities;
     Barriers that underserved communities and individuals may 
face in participation in agency grant programs and other forms of 
financial assistance;
     Opportunities in current agency policies, regulations, and 
guidance to address affirmatively and equitably the underlying causes 
of systemic inequities in society;
     Opportunities in agency community engagement processes to 
engage with and empower marginalized, vulnerable, or underserved 
communities more directly to advance equitable policymaking; and
     The operational status and level of institutional 
resources available to agency offices or divisions responsible for 
advancing civil rights or required to serve underrepresented or 
disadvantaged communities.
    Within one year of the date of Executive Order 13985 (by January 
19, 2022), the head of each agency will develop a plan for addressing 
any barriers to full and equal participation in programs and 
procurement opportunities identified in its assessment. Such a plan 
could include establishing ongoing routines to assess and rectify gaps 
in full and equal participation in programs and procurement 
opportunities.

Key Principles

    Advancing equity must be a core part of management and policy 
making processes. Achieving equity must go beyond delivering special 
projects or programs that focus on underserved communities. Equity must 
be a central component of the decision-making framework that all agency 
functions are routed through.
    Successful equity work yields tangible changes that positively 
impact the lives of people in the United States. Equity is not just a 
set of values; it must also be a set of outcomes.
    Equity benefits everyone. If we close the gaps in income, wealth, 
and financial security for families across the country, our economy 
will grow. It's up to all of us as leaders to carry this message, and 
to demonstrate that advancing equity is not a zero-sum game that 
benefits some communities at the expense of others.

Customer Experience Questions

    USDA is requesting customer experience input on the following 
questions where applicable:
    1. Have you applied for or accessed USDA programs and services in 
the past? If so, please describe your experience.
    2. If you have not applied for or accessed USDA programs and 
services in the past, why not? What would have made it easier for you 
to apply or access USDA programs and services?
    3. How can USDA, its cooperators, grantees, and partners, better 
share information with underserved stakeholders about our programs and 
services? What are the best ways to notify and engage underserved 
stakeholders about new programs and services or changes to existing 
services?
    4. Describe your experience(s) interacting with USDA staff when 
trying to access USDA programs and services. How were they helpful? Are 
local USDA offices staffed sufficiently and do they provide good 
customer service? What are areas for improvement?
    5. Are USDA agency websites helpful in providing useful information 
on programs and services, explaining how specific programs and services 
work, and explaining how applications for participation are considered? 
What are areas for improvement?
    6. What are the barriers to applying for loan and grant programs? 
How can USDA make loan and grant processes easier to understand and 
more accessible to underserved groups?
    7. Have you attended stakeholder meetings and informational 
sessions in the past? Describe when and how helpful and useful the 
information was including follow-up by USDA.

General Questions

    USDA is also requesting input on the following general questions 
where applicable:
    1. Have you experienced injustice, inequity or unfairness in one or 
more USDA programs? If so, which ones? Please explain the situation(s).
    2. Have you had difficulty accessing one or more USDA programs? If 
so, which ones? Please explain the difficulty.
    3. Did you experience problems with required USDA paperwork, the 
USDA internet sites, the attitudes of USDA workers, or the locations of 
USDA offices?
    4. Are there USDA policies, practices, or programs that perpetuate 
systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits for people of color or 
other underserved groups? How can those programs be

[[Page 32015]]

modified, expanded, or made less complicated or streamlined, to deliver 
resources and benefits more equitably?
    5. How can USDA establish and maintain connections to a wider and 
more diverse set of stakeholders representing underserved communities?
    6. Please describe USDA programs or interactions that have worked 
well for underserved communities. What successful approaches to 
advancing justice and equity have been undertaken by USDA that you 
recommend be used as a model for other programs or areas?
    7. Does USDA currently collect information, use forms, or require 
documentation that impede access to USDA programs or are not effective 
to achieve program objectives? If so, what are they and how can USDA 
revise them to reduce confusion or frustration, and increase equity in 
access to USDA programs?
    8. Is there information you believe USDA currently collects that it 
does not need to achieve statutory or regulatory objectives?
    9. Are there data-sharing activities in which USDA agencies should 
engage, so that repetitive collections of the same data do not occur 
from one USDA component to the next?
    10. How can USDA use technology to improve customer service? Do you 
have suggestions on how technology or online services can help 
streamline and reduce regulatory or policy requirements? What are those 
technological programs or processes and how can USDA use them to 
achieve equity for all?
    11. Are there sources of external data and metrics that USDA can 
use to evaluate the effects on underserved communities of USDA policies 
or regulations? If so, please identify or describe them.
    12. What suggestions do you have for how USDA can effectively 
assess and measure its outreach and inclusion of underserved groups and 
individuals?
    13. How can USDA remove or reduce barriers that underserved 
communities and individuals face when they participate or attempt to 
participate in agency procurement and contracting opportunities?
    14. Have you made recommendations for improvement in the past to 
USDA? If so, please list or attach those recommendations.

Civil Rights Compliant

    Information submitted through this document will not be processed 
as a civil rights complaint and will not be considered a complaint for 
determining whether a complaint was timely submitted.
    To file a discrimination complaint on interactions with USDA, you 
can complete the form: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Complain_combined_6_8_12_508.pdf. You may submit the 
discrimination complaint to USDA by any of the following methods:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Center for Civil 
Rights Enforcement, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-
9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    Email: [email protected].
    If you need any assistance completing the form, call the following 
phone numbers:
     (202) 260-1026 (Local),
     (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service),
     (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), or
     (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family or parental status, income derived from a public 
assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for 
prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or 
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 
complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (for example, braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the 
responsible agency or USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 or 844-433-
2774 (toll-free nationwide). Additionally, program information may be 
made available in languages other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and 
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in 
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy 
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 
or letter to USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Elizabeth C. Archuleta,
Director, Office of Intergovernmental & External Affairs, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2021-12612 Filed 6-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-90-P