U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTORY

STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES - FLORIDA

Clearwater
Gainesville
Jacksonville
Miami
Pensacola
St. Petersburg
Tallahassee
Tampa

PINELLAS COUNTY OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
400 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue, Suite 300
Clearwater, FL 34616

Leon W. Russell, Human Rights/EEO Officer
Tel: (813) 464-4880
Fax: (813) 464-4157
TDD: (813) 464-4062

The Office enforces the county's human rights ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, or disability (physical or mental) in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Geographic area(s) served: Pinellas County
Type(s) of publications: None

ALACHUA COUNTY GOVERNMENT EQUALOPPORTUNITY DIVISION
P.O. Box 1467
Gainesville, FL 32602

Ida R. Reynolds, Director
Tel: (352) 374-5275
Fax: (352) 338-3205
TDD: (352) 374-5284

The Division administers and enforces a local anti-discrimination ordinance, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, or disability in connection with employment, housing, and public accommodation. The ordinance authorizes the Director to conduct investigations, conciliate, make determinations, and/or recommend civil action.

Geographic area(s) served: Alachua County
Type(s) of publications: None

JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION
Equal Opportunity Commission
421 W. Church Street, Suite 705
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Charlene Taylor Hill, Executive Director
Tel: (904) 630-4911
Fax: (904) 630-4948
TDD: (904) 630-4933

The Community Relations Commission promotes and encourages fair treatment and equal opportunity for all persons. The Commission has the power to investigate, hold hearings, and conciliate or enforce equal employment and fair housing laws.

Geographic area(s) served: City of Jacksonville and Duval County
Type(s) of publications: Annual report

DADE COUNTY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY BOARD
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 650
Miami, FL 33128-1965

Marcos Regalado, Director
Tel: (305) 375-5272
Fax: (305) 375-5715
TDD: None

The Board enforces the Dade County Code, Chapter 11A, as amended, which prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodations, credit and financing practices, and housing on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, marital status, or familial status. It also investigates complaints involving the county family leave ordinance.

Geographic area(s) served: Dade County
Type(s) of publications: None

METRO-DADE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 620
Miami, FL 33128

Ari A. Sosa, Director
Tel: (305) 375-5730
Fax: (305) 375-5715
TDD: None

The mission of the Department is to serve as an advocate for minorities and women while fostering mutual understanding, respect, and tolerance among all groups. The Department investigates complaints regarding discrimination in housing and employment.

Geographic area(s) served: Dade County
Type(s) of publications: Monthly newsletter

MIAMI COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
2600 Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33133

Elizabeth H. Kaynor, Coordinator
Pola Reydburnd, Chair
Tel: (305) 579-3473
Fax: (305) 578-3447
TDD: None

The Commission on the Status of Women has 25 volunteer members appointed by the City Commission. It acts in an advisory capacity in all matters pertaining to the status of women, including, but not limited to discrimination, gender equity, education, employment, safety and health, children, day care and family issues. Its mission is to empower all women regardless of race, color, creed, or cultural background and to plan and execute a continuing public awareness campaign through TV, radio, print media, seminars and workshops on issues affecting women and their families, including domestic violence awareness, child care and education, family issues, legislation, the environment, economic empowerment, health and well-being, educational and sports equity, mentoring and role models, careers, and other empowerment tools for women.

Geographic area(s) served: City of Miami
Type(s) of publications: None

ESCAMBIA-PENSACOLA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
29 S. Spring Street
Pensacola, FL 32501

Eugene L. Brown, Executive Director
Tel: (904) 434-2431
Fax: (904) 434-2434
TDD: (904) 434-2434

The Commission receives, investigates, and holds hearings on complaints alleging discrimination in Escambia County on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, or physical handicap and makes recommendations to the parties to eliminate any such discrimination in employment and housing. The Commission also serves as an informal public accommodation facilitator.

Geographic area(s) served: Escambia County and the City of Pensacola
Type(s) of publications: Annual report

ST. PETERSBURG HUMAN RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 2842
St. Petersburg, FL 33731

Jim Yates, Director
Tel: (813) 893-7345
Fax: (813) 892-5064
TDD: None

The City of St. Petersburg's human rights enforcement agency enforces a city ordinance covering employment, housing, and public accommodations. It administers the city's minority business enterprise program and enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act. The agency also contracts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Pinellas County to process civil rights complaints.

Geographic area(s) served: City of St. Petersburg and south half of Pinellas County
Type(s) of publications: None

FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS
325 John Knox Road, Bldg. F, Suite 240
Tallahassee, FL 32303-4149

Ronald McElrath, Executive Director
Tel: (904) 488-7082
Fax: (904) 488-5291
TDD: 1 (800) 342-8170

The Commission investigates complaints of discrimination brought under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 and Florida's Fair Housing Act. In addition, the Commission seeks to provide technical assistance to local commissions on human relations and to others requesting such assistance, to facilitate progress in human relations.

Geographic area(s) served: State of Florida
Type(s) of publications: Annual report

TAMPA OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
712 W. Ross Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602

Bobby Bowden, Director
Tel: (813) 274-8241
Fax: (813) 274-7207
TDD: None

The Office investigates charges of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations and processes citizens complaints within the city of Tampa.

Geographic area(s) served: City of Tampa
Type(s) of publications: Annual report