Outreach and Education
The Commission's mandate to eliminate and prevent discrimination through
education is an increasingly important area of our work. During FY 90, the
Commission fulfilled requests for 159 educational programs. This was more
than double the number of the previous year. This increased outreach was
made possible by the participation of additional professional staff in fulfilling
requests, and by the continuation of the staff person specializing in fair
housing programs.
Agency staff is trained and available to present programs ranging from an
explanation of the agency's jurisdiction and services to specific topics
such as preventing sexual harassment, non-discriminatory employee selection,
and fair housing practices. In addition, staff responds to hundreds of telephone
calls and letters asking for general and specific information on civil rights.
Consultations with employers and landlords on non-discriminatory practices
are also provided upon request.
This fiscal year also saw an increase in publications available for distribution.
New brochures giving information on the agency and on the areas covered
by Section 601A were published, including one with the text in both English
and Spanish. Two new housing posters were printed, and requests for the
"Iowa Fair Housing Awareness Packet" continued to be fulfilled.
Regularly-scheduled publications included the Annual Report, four
issues of the Communicator, the newsletter, and Case Reports,
Volume VIII.
As the Commission is able to reduce the case inventory through vigorous
case processing, it is anticipated that additional staff time will become
available for expanded outreach and education activities.