DC Office of Human Rights Newsletter | Volume XXXIV | August 2021
Back to School Resources
At the end of this month and the beginning of September, schools across the country will welcome students for in-person instruction for the first time in over a year. The pandemic has redefined the way kids interact with teachers, their classmates and how they learn. The pandemic has also effected parents budgets and resources in unexpected ways. Fortunately, many neighborhoods and communities in the District are doing Back to School events throughout the month of August, so be sure to check your local library, neighborhood listserv and/or councilmember or advisory neighborhood commission announcements for an event near you. If you need additional resources, check in with the non-profit organizations in your community. They often provide assistance with everything from rent and utilities to childcare and afterschool programs.
Here are some helpful links to get additional information about the 2021-2022 school year.


Here's to a successful and safe return to learning!
Director's Note
Dear DC neighbors and friends,

We hope you are enjoying some downtime and sunshine this summer! It is hard to believe a new school year is getting ready to begin, but as we begin the back-to school journey, we have some resources to share with you. OHR recently released 2019-2020 Youth Bullying Prevention Report which was produced alongside Child Trends, a premier research and think tank. In it, we detail the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on education and implementation of the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012 within the District of Columbia School system. The report also presents information about the overall state of bullying prevention and reviews the rate of incidents of bullying in District public and public charter schools. Click here to read the full report.

As children return to in-person learning this month, it is important to review your school's bullying prevention policy. Schools must be a safe place for all children. With so many challenges related to COVID-19 and mask-wearing rules as children are return to socializing for the first time in a long time we need all the resources we can get in order to support our school and our children. You can lick here to view the "Know Your Policy" portal and learn more about our bullying prevention resources.

Looking ahead to the end of the summer, one thing is clear, we all must continue to play our part in ensuring that our city gets through this pandemic. So I encourage DC to continue following Mayor Muriel Bowser's COVID-19 guidances regarding wearing masks, social distancing, getting vaccinated and much more. 

In service,
Monica Palacio, Director
Trait of the Month: Credit Information
This protected trait makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on any written, verbal or other communication of information bearing on an employee's creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity or credit history. For more information or to file a complaint, visit our website; ohr.dc.gov.
HRL is Back!
Become an OHR Ambassador

OHR's Human Rights Liaison (HRL) Training will return on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14-15. Attendees will participate in a free, two-day virtual training on the discrimination laws OHR enforces, as well as the process on how to identify and file a complaint if a client(s) experiences illegal discrimination. If you work for a social service organization and are interested in learning more about our office and the District's civil rights laws, click the image or the button to RSVP for the training.
SAVE THE DATE
OHR Launching Office Hours @ MLK
OHR will be offering Office Hours on Saturday, August 21st at MLK Memorial Library (901 G St NW) from noon until 4 p.m. Here, people will be able to ask questions of our experienced staff, file a complaint on the spot and seek additional city resources. If you feel like you've been discriminated against, we encourage you stop by and get help. Light refreshments will be served.
National Black Business Month

August is National Black Business Month. So, be sure to support black-owned and operated businesses in the District this month. Fun fact, nearly 30 percent of businesses are black owned in DC according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Here are a few to check out.


DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov