Calendar

Jan
16
Thu
Civil Rights Protecting for Persons With Disabilities Involved In Child Welfare
Jan 16 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Civil Rights Protecting for Persons With Disabilities Involved In Child Welfare

Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases often involve children and families with disabilities who may be protected under Federal laws from disability-based discrimination. Disability rights protections attach when an individual with a disability is eligible to receive services from state and child welfare agencies, child placing agencies, state courts, and community-based service providers that receive Federal grants and assistance (e.g., Title IV-E and B, Medicaid, State Court Improvement Program, etc.) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive HHS financial assistance. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits disability-based discrimination in child welfare programs, services, and activities administered by State and local government entities. An individual with a disability means a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment. Substance use disorder is an example of a physical or mental impairment under Section 504 and the ADA.

Learning Objectives

  • Become familiar with the legal definition of a qualified individual with a disability.
  • Understand who is covered under federal disability laws and what entities must comply with the laws.
  • Hear examples of disability discrimination in the child welfare system.

Speaker

Carla Carter, JD, Associate Deputy Director for Enforcement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights

Carla Carter serves as an Associate Deputy Director for Enforcement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. In her role, Carla is responsible for developing civil rights enforcement strategies, policies, and guidance to clarify covered entities’ responsibilities under federal civil rights laws. Additionally, Carla provides technical assistance to federally assisted entities to ensure compliance with civil rights laws in health and human service programs. Before joining OCR, Carla served as legal counsel with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and provided direct child welfare services to children and families in various roles including, as a child protection caseworker, family preservation caseworker, foster care supervisor, and independent living trainer. Carla holds a J.D. from the City University of New York Law School and has a B.A in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln University.

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