Education & Outreach

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights provides services, information, and training support to agencies and individuals in Maryland. MCCR seeks to provide current and accurate information on issues affecting equal access and opportunity under Title 20 of the State Government Article and Title 19 of the Finance & Procurement Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, in housing, employment, public accommodations and state contracts. Through our Community Outreach & Education program, we offer workshops and seminars to agencies, businesses, and organizations throughout the State. To see the latest upcoming events, click here.

Training modules that are currently available include:

Civil Rights Leadership Program

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Leadership Program (CRLP) is a free four-day academy designed to provide training and insight to emerging leaders by fostering a comprehensive and supportive educational environment wherein program participants will engage with experienced Civil Rights leaders, scholars, and practitioners in order to learn more about career paths and opportunities in the field.

Topics covered will be, but not limited to:

Training on Maryland’s Anti-Discrimination Laws and MCCR Enforcement
Legal Overview/Investigative Practices
Civil Rights Career Forum

This program is open to scholars currently enrolled at any Maryland college or university with an interest in Civil Rights Leadership, Law, Advocacy, Human Relations, and Equal Employment Opportunity. For for info, visit https://mccr.maryland.gov/Pages/CRLP.aspx

Young Scholars Program (YSP)

This three-part series provided targeted workshops for teens and young adults in the areas of employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and public accommodations discrimination. The training sessions were held quarterly and provides participants with the opportunity to earn up to 24 total service-learning hours. Each training session involved interactive activities, community action, and reflective forums. The training series was tailored to educate Maryland youth about their rights and was appropriate for individuals ages 14–20.

Know Your Civil Rights

This short educational presentation provides an overview of the services and responsibilities of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. The information gives audiences a better understanding of civil rights protections in Maryland and includes:

The Commission's Purview & Mission
Types of Cases Processed & Maryland’s Protected Classes
Case Processing & Procedures
How to File a Complaint
Investigation Info, Current Statistics & Trends
Legal Unit Information
Education and Outreach Opportunities
FAQs

This presentation runs anywhere from 45 - 90 minutes and is tailored for each specific audience.

Conflict Resolution

This interactive training workshop examines the role of interpersonal conflict and its’ impact on the workplace. The workshop provides both insight and information on the causes and process of conflict and offers conflict management techniques.

Workshop content includes:

Causes of Conflict
Cycle of Conflict
Conflict styles
Case Studies
Conflict Management Tools & Techniques

Dimensions of Diversity

This interactive training workshop provides both information and opportunity to examine and understand the concepts of culture, cultural information and its’ origin, and how it impacts the workplace.

Workshop content includes:

Key Diversity Definitions
Cycle of Information/Misinformation
Examining of Cultural Roots
Multi-Cultural Communication Awareness

Disability Issues, Awareness & the Law

This interactive training workshop includes a review of applicable disability-related laws and reasonable accommodations. The workshop also provides relevant statistics and discusses appropriate etiquette, behavior and language when interacting with persons with disabilities.

Workshop content includes:

Applicable Laws & Definitions
Reasonable Accommodations (requests, documentation, verification of documentation, etc.)
Exclusions Under Federal Law
Elements of a Prima Facie Employment Discrimination Case & Possible Defenses
Current Case Law & Common Workplace Scenarios

Employment Discrimination Prevention

This training provides information regarding preventing employment discrimination within the state of Maryland. Workshop content includes:

Applicable Laws & Definitions
Possible Defenses for Employers & Remedies for Employees
Legal Exemptions/Exclusions
Harassment & Retaliation
Current Case Law & Common Workplace Scenarios
Tips for Preventing Discrimination

Housing Discrimination Prevention

This training provides information on fair housing law and housing discrimination issues. Special interest topics such as senior housing, housing and disability accessibility/accommodations, fair housing in real estate and new construction may also be addressed. Workshop content includes:

Applicable Laws & Definitions
History of Fair Housing Law
Legal Exemptions/Exclusions
Possible Defenses and Legal Remedies
Harassment & Retaliation
Current Case Law & Common Workplace Scenarios
Tips for Preventing Discrimination

Public Accommodations/Services Discrimination Prevention

This training provides information regarding preventing discrimination in public accommodations and/or services. The training includes legal definitions, what constitutes a “public” accommodation or services, examples of discrimination, exemptions, defenses, retaliation, as well as remedies for discrimination.

Applicable Laws & Definitions
Possible Defenses & Remedies
Legal Exemptions/Exclusions
Harassment & Retaliation
Current Case Law & Common Workplace Scenarios
Tips for Preventing Discrimination

Investigating Complaints of Discrimination (4 hours)

This learning module provides EEO and Human Resources professionals with prefatory knowledge and skills to support the investigation of complaints of employment discrimination. This interactive course includes an overview of the MD Title 20 laws and protected classes, charge intake and investigative processes, as well as sample theories of discrimination and elements of proof. This course does not provide legal advice and is not meant to be a certification course.

Religious/Spiritual Awareness, Accommodation & the Law

This interactive and informative workshop provides a current review of applicable Maryland law on the issue of religious accommodation in the workplace, current cases, and possible defenses. The session will included relevant statistics, discussion and information on religious/spiritual practices that may impact the workplace.

Workshop content includes:

Key Definitions and Statistics
Religious Accommodations, the Law, and Defenses
Workplace-Related Information on the Major Religious Groups in Maryland
Workplace Case Studies

Sexual Harassment Prevention

This workshop begins by focusing on current Maryland law as it relates to sexual harassment. The workshop will also concentrate on the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace as well as what to do if and when it does occur.

Workshop content includes:

Applicable Laws
Definition and Types of Sexual Harassment
Examples and Case Studies of Sexual Harassing Behavior
Dealing with Sexual Harassment
Employer Liability/ Damages

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

This engaging training workshop highlights current information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination law in Maryland. The workshop also provides information on the basic concepts, definitions, and issues that may arise in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Workshop content includes:

Definitions
Applicable Laws
Kinsey Scale of Sexuality
Orientation and Identity Issues
Orientation and Identity in the Workplace

LGBTQIA Safe(r) Spaces

This workshop is designed to help people reduce the often unwelcoming and even hostile environments in which Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Transgender, Intersex, and Asexual/Ally (LGBTQIA) people navigate in their daily lives. From the classroom bully to the unintentional exclusion by use of certain language, LGBTQIA people frequently find themselves excluded and uncomfortable in many situations. Using a hands-on approach, participants will examine their role and responsibility in creating a more welcoming environment at work, school, and civic or social organizations.

Workshop objectives include:

Participants will be able to identify sources of unwelcoming behaviors in a variety of settings.
Participants will learn to dispel negative stereotypes and develop a set of strategies to create more welcoming environments for LGBTQIA people.
Participants will become more familiar with and comfortable in using LGBTQIA-inclusive terminology.
Participants are provided the opportunity to commit to being an ally by displaying a Safe(r) Spaces Sticker.

Training sessions are offered in 3 hour segments. Workshop booklets are provided for each participant.

The Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program

A partnership between the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy, the Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program (MEILP) aspires to develop, engage, and support current and emerging leaders from private, public, and nonprofit sectors who are interested and committed to helping their organizations become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive at various levels.

You can access more information about MEILP or add your name to the interest list for the program by clicking here.

Additional Resources:

Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program Informational Brochure