AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

SCOPE OF PLAN
This is the Affirmative Action Plan for La Crosse County, Wisconsin, which covers and is applicable to all facilities owned or operated by La Crosse County including, but not limited to, the La Crosse County Administrative Center, the La Crosse County Health and Human Services Building, La Crosse County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center, Hillview Health Care Center, Lakeview Mental Health Center, and Highway and Parks property. All Affirmative Action programs in the various locations are coordinated through a single Affirmative Action Officer named below. All correspondence regarding this plan should be directed to the County Affirmative Action Officer.

POLICY STATEMENT
It is the official policy of La Crosse County, in harmony with the legislative policy of the State of Wisconsin expressed in Wis. Stats. Section 111.31, to provide equal employment opportunities for properly qualified individuals without regard to their age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or arrest and conviction record, except where age, sex, or physical or other requirements constitute a bona fide occupational qualification. It is further the official policy of La Crosse County to employ minorities in proportion to their representation in the local population, according to statistics which shall be on file in the office of the County Clerk. These official policies are contained in Chapter 14 of the La Crosse County General Code of Ordinances. This Affirmative Action Plan is a compilation of the ordinances, resolutions, rules and policies promulgated by La Crosse County to comply with Affirmative Action mandates.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972; Presidental Executive Order #11246; Revised Order #4; OFCC Affirmative Action Guidelines; and Title XXIX, Chapter 1607 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, establishing in substance the elimination of discriminatory employment practices based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex and age and conferring on the Justice Department and Equal Opportunity Commission the responsibility for elimination of discrimination on State and local levels, are adopted by reference and incorporated as though set forth in full in Chapter 14 of the General Code of Ordinances of La Crosse County. The County also subscribes to the non-discrimination laws and regulations passed by Federal and State Governments. Therefore, all County policies, procedures, rules and regulations of all departments, agencies, facilities, and the provisions of labor contracts are required to be in compliance with the above laws and orders. The County will take affirmative action, when necessary, to achieve handicapped accessibility, and nondiscrimination in contract compliance or employment practices, in accordance with Section 503-504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Ordinances and Resolutions of the County.

PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
The Affirmative Action Officer for La Crosse County shall be the County Personnel Director. The AA Officer may review all departmental policies and procedures, rules and regulations, and shall have access to all personnel files, documents, investigative reports, and any documents or information pertinent to the maintenance of the Affirmative Action Program. The Affirmative Action Officer will have the responsibility of resolving complaints of discrimination and identifying problems and participating in problem resolution. The Officer will also serve as the liaison between La Crosse County and compliance agencies and other community organizations as necessary. Such Officer may participate in any programs or policies relative to the training, promotion, transfer or discipline of any person in the employ of the County.

1. Dissemination of policy within the County: The Affirmative Action Policy and Procedures are made part of the Personnel Administrative Rules and Procedures governing and available to all nonbargaining personnel. The Affirmative Action policies established in this Affirmative Action Plan shall be likewise applicable to all bargaining unit employees and language to that effect shall be contained in each collectively bargained agreement. Procedures for redress of grievances relating to Affirmative Action shall be as set forth in each collectively bargained agreement. The Affirmative Action Policy and Procedures are reviewed at least annually with department heads and supervisory personnel, along with instruction on the laws and regulations regarding Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. The Affirmative Action Policies and Procedures are communicated to employees periodically by written communication to all departments. New employees are informed on the policy as part of the orientation program. The Affirmative Action and Procedure Plan is posted on designated bulletin boards. In addition, various posters, such as "Equal Opportunity is the Law" and the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act are displayed at various County facility locations.
2. Dissemination of policy outside La Crosse County: All recruiting sources for County employment will be informed of the County's intent to abide by Equal Opportunity law and such recruiting sources will be expected to refer candidates for job openings without discrimination against properly qualified individuals solely because of their age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest or conviction record. Recruiting sources that are known by the La Crosse County Affirmative Action Officer to be discriminatory will not be used. All recruitment ads and County regular stationery will include the phrase "An Equal Opportunity Employer." Prospective employees are made aware of the existence of our Affirmative Action Plan by visual display. Advertising will not restrict opportunities except where such restrictions are bona fide occupational qualifications. Any individual wanting a copy of the Affirmative Action Plan will be provided one upon request.
3. General: The Affirmative Action Policies and Procedure Plan is publicized in English. In specific cases where another language is needed or for persons who are visually impaired, readers, translators, and/or interpreters are available.