The Community
Relations unit was created to encourage local resolution
of local problems and to foster better community relations
throughout the State. This division uses conference, conciliation
and persuasion to bring together cross-sections of people
to resolve disputes involving discrimination in police relations,
unit education, business practices and other non-employment
issues.
The Community
Relations unit is responsible for eight program areas: (1)
establishing and consulting with local Community Relations
Councils; (2) processing of non-employment complaints; (3)
coordination of activities with the U. S. Department of
Education, Office of Civil Rights; (4) Federal Highway Administration
Survey; (5) South Carolina Project Notification and Review
Systems; (6) South Carolina Emergency Preparedness programs;
(7) technical assistance and referrals; and, (8) enforcement
of the South Carolina Equal Enjoyment and Privileges to
Public Accommodations Act.
The Community
Relations unit serves as a resource for South Carolinians
to seek solutions to problems encountered due to social
or institutionalized practices that have a divisive impact.
The Division also investigates complaints rising from alleged
violations of the Equal Enjoyment and Privileges to Public
Accommodations Act and any other allegations of discrimination
occurring in sectors other than employment or housing.
Since
its inception, the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission
has worked to link state government to community groups
by assisting in the establishment and continuance of local
Community
Relations Councils.
The Community Relations unit will send members of its staff
to any Community Relations Council meeting upon request.
If a community has an existing council or committee, the
division offers its support and resources. The division’s
staff also advises councils on identifying problems, setting
priorities in program planning and development, and planning
funding processes for community projects.
Community Relations
unit is comprised of the following subunits: Public Relations,
Public Accommodations Investigations 1-13-90 (e), A-95 Project
Notification and Information Resources.
Public
Relations
The Office
of Public Information develops, prepares, edits, coordinates
and disseminates information and educational materials such
as bulletins, newsletters, posters and departmental brochures
for SHAC. The office also provides support services to the
Commission regarding public relations, community relations
and governmental relations and also serves as a liaison
to the commissioner and the governing board with the media.
This office also coordinates and implements Fair Housing
outreach issues and civil and human rights activities related
to the mission of the agency.
Public
Accommodations and Other Complaints of Discrimination (90(e)):
Complaints
based on Public Accommodations are still largely based on
race and Respondents are typically food service establishments.
Complaints directed towards food service establishments
usually involve a party of individuals and result in companion
complaints being filed.
Several complaints
were received involving the health care industry, based
upon race with the issue being triage and/or method of payment
for services rendered by the health care professional.
90(e) cases
were received based on a variety of circumstances, and attempts
were made to reconcile the parties or at minimum obtain
a position statement on behalf of the respondent for the
complainant's information. While race is the primary basis
for 90(e) complaints, one of the most significant
areas where 90(e) complaints are received is sexual harassment.
Project
Notification and Review System
Entities seeking
federal assistance for projects, and /or programs (construction
and non-construction), must submit their proposals to the
national single point of contact office in Washington, D.
C. Those proposals are listed in the catalogue federal domestic
book and referred to the state or states affected for detailed
review.
South
Carolina Human Affairs Commission receives all proposals
for South Carolina and reviews them for compliance with
this agency’s policies.
Information
Resources
The Office
of Information Resources provides technical services in
the daily activities of the operation of the agency's network
control center. Coordinates operation of office automation
systems and information processing. This unit also researches
future automation needs and assesses user / staff needs
and advises management.
