Mission Area Liaison Division

The Mission Area Liaison (MAL) Division serves as a vital component of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR), providing leadership, oversight, and strategic direction to ensure the effective implementation of civil rights policies and programs across the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The division acts as a bridge between the USDA’s Mission Areas, Agencies, and external stakeholders, aligning departmental priorities with statutory and regulatory requirements.

The Mission Area Liaison Division is committed to advancing USDA’s goals by promoting compliance, streamlining processes, and building strong connections between the Department and its stakeholders. Through its work, MAL plays a crucial role in upholding the principles of fairness and accountability that are essential to the USDA’s mission.

Leadership

Edward Profit
Director, Mission Area Liaison Division
Center for Civil Rights Operations

The office is responsible for the oversight and administration of proactive prevention programs required by federal statutes and regulations, including but not limited to:

• Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended)
• Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended)
• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (as amended)
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended)
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended)
• The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
• The Equal Pay Act of 1963
• Sections 102 and 103 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991
• Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)

Key Responsibilities

Proactive Prevention Programs and Oversight

• Serve as the central point for implementing and overseeing proactive prevention programs across the Department and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR).
• Ensure that Mission Area and Agency Civil Rights offices design and execute prevention programs aligned with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor compliance with laws and Departmental policies related to civil rights and program administration.

Mandatory Reporting

• Prepare mandatory annual reports in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements from Congress, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and other regulatory bodies.
• Provide guidance to Mission Area and Agency Civil Rights offices to ensure adherence to reporting obligations.

Civil Rights Training

• Develop and establish annual mandatory civil rights training objectives for the Department, in coordination with the Civil Rights Training Committee.
• Ensure Mission Area and Agency Civil Rights offices deliver training in alignment with Departmental policies and guidance.
• Evaluate the performance of Civil Rights offices to promote consistent progress toward full compliance each fiscal year.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Program

• Provide leadership and guidance for the Department’s LEP program to ensure accessible services for individuals with limited English proficiency.
• Oversee the implementation and effectiveness of Language Access policies, plans, and procedures within Mission Area and Agency Civil Rights offices.

Program Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Administer an effective ADR program to encourage early resolution of potential discrimination complaints (Program Complaints).
• Reduce the number of formal complaints escalated to OASCR by promoting resolution at earlier stages.
• Provide oversight to ensure effective ADR practices within Mission Area and Agency Civil Rights offices.
• Ensure Mission Area and Agency Civil Rights offices maintain effective informal resolution processes to address concerns efficiently.

Departmental Communications

• Provide strategic communications to Mission Areas and Agencies, Civil Rights Directors, USDA customers, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and consistent messaging on issues, priorities, and directions related to the Department’s civil rights functions.
• Facilitate coordination of messaging and guidance to align departmental priorities with the needs of all stakeholders.

Departmental Liaising

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders across the USDA, ensuring seamless coordination on civil rights matters.
• Strictly adhere to Secretarial policies to ensure consistency in message delivery and implementation.
• Assist in shaping key messaging to USDA employees to align with the Department’s objectives and policies, promoting clarity and cohesion in communications.

Contact Us

To inquire about any of the programs we administer, please contact us at:

United States Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Center for Civil Rights Operations
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
ATTN: Mission Area Liaison Division