All Reasonable Efforts

All Reasonable Efforts

All reasonable efforts consist of a series of approaches that are required of Extension staff to solicit participation of the underrepresented group, the group that is not participating. These are used in addition to affirmative action procedures, and are required when programs do not meet balanced participation requirements. 

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Office of Diversity is pleased to announce that “All Reasonable Efforts” reporting is now available through the Kentucky Extension Reporting System (KERS). The purpose of this transition is to increase the visibility and transparency of the “All Reasonable Efforts” being made within individual county programs.  

“All reasonable efforts” consist of a series of approaches that are required of Extension staff to solicit participation of the underrepresented groups in your county - those groups that have not historically participated in your county programming. These efforts should be used in addition to affirmative action procedures and are required when programs do not meet balanced participation requirements. Some situations that call for "all reasonable efforts" include the following:

  • an Extension sponsored or assisted group that does not reflect the racial composition of the target community,  
  • advisory or decision-making groups that do not reflect the composition of the potential audience; and/or
  • program participation in which certain groups are consistently underrepresented.  

“All Reasonable Efforts” can now be documented by simply checking the box on the KERS daily/service log, then completing the needed information (person, purpose, and action taken). Agents can also upload any supporting documentation (Counties should still plan to keep copies of documentation in the office; this info is requested during county program reviews). All reasonable efforts (or extra efforts), must be made and documented until balanced participation is met and maintained within the county program.

Documentation includes, but is not limited to:  

  • Announcements
  • Flyers
  • Posters
  • Pictures
  • Emails
  • Notes 

Examples of “all reasonable efforts” may include:

  • Used media outlets that target (the county’s underrepresented group inserted here) to announce programs and events
  • Developed announcements, flyers, and posters to be placed in locations frequented by the underrepresented group
  • Wrote personal letters to and contact members of the underrepresented group to encourage their participation
  • Made personal contact with leaders from the underrepresented group to seek their assistance in reaching this audience
  • Sought assistance from other community groups to encourage participation

Any questions about “All Reasonable Efforts” should be directed to Dr. Mia Farrell (Assistant Dean, CAFE Office of Diversity) at antomia.farrell@uky.edu. Counties can also contact Stacy Miller (Director, Extension Human Resources) with county program review related questions at stacy.miller@uky.edu

 

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Reasonable accommodation of disability may be available with prior notice. Program information may be made available in languages other than English.

Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other related matter should be directed to

Equal Opportunity Office, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment,
University of Kentucky, Room S-105, Agriculture Science Building, North Lexington, Kentucky 40546,

the UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 13 Main Building,
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0032 or

US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.

In Extension, we are charged with serving all citizens of the Commonwealth.  We have a unique responsibility to provide programming, services and education to those who need it most.  This can be individuals with limited resources, backgrounds different than our own, and / or individuals with disabilities.

It is important that we provide education and resources to our agents, specialists, and staff to ensure that we are providing individuals with disabilities the accommodations they require. For more information, please go to the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity.

The nondiscriminatory notification statement should be used in written communication with guests invited to make presentations at Extension sponsored events or functions. One way to do this would be to incorporate the statement into a letter of confirmation as follows:

Looking forward to having you on our program to (present a workshop, participate in our seminar...etc.)

The programs sponsored by the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service are planned for all people regardless of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. We anticipate that the audience for the program will represent the diversity of our community (state, area, and city) and we encourage all presenters to be sensitive to the words, phrases, stories, and jokes used to communicate their message in order not to devalue any individual or group. We appreciate your recognition and support of our efforts to be inclusive and to avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes.

To download the appropriate Non-discriminatory Statement, go to Forms and Templates.

Contact Information

Pamela D. Holbrook
Administrative Support Associate I

708 W.P. Garrigus Building Lexington, KY 40546-0215

+1 (859) 257-7193

pamela.holbrook@uky.edu