Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Trainings offered by the PHRC

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) provides training on a variety of social justice programs including civil rights law, sexual discrimination in the workplace, fair housing fundamentals, and more,.

The PHRC offers in-depth trainings including but not limited to:

Civil Rights & Filing a Complaint

  • Civil Rights Law and PHRC Jurisdiction
  • Disability & Reasonable Accommodation
  • PHRC Overview & How to File a Complaint

Preventing Discrimination in the Workplace and Schools

  • Bullying and Harassment Prevention
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Cross-cultural Communication
  • Sexual Discrimination in the Workplace
  • Sexual Harassment Prevention

Bias, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

  • Bias and Hate Speech
  • Bias and Hate Crime (for law enforcement)
  • Cultural Awareness and Humility
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB)
  • Implicit Bias for Law Enforcement
  • Intersectionality of Discrimination and Trauma
  • Unconscious Bias

Fair Housing Rights

  • Fair Housing Fundamentals
  • Fair Housing for LGBTQ+ Individuals
  • Fair Housing for Municipal Leaders
  • Fair Housing & Criminal Backgrounds
  • Fair Housing & Domestic Violence
  • Fair Housing & Individuals with Disabilities Fair Housing & Hoarding
  • Service & Support Animals
  • Fair Lending
  • Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
  • Redlining: Yesterday & Today

PHRC trainings are tailored to the specific needs of your organization or community. The goal of every training and event is to always:

  • Promote equal opportunity.
  • Help communities, public agencies, businesses, and schools prevent or eliminate illegal discrimination.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The PHRC trains local law enforcement and college campus crime prevention authorities on how to recognize and address hate speech and bias incidents in their communities.

  • Conducted by PHRC attorneys and educational outreach staff members with experience in monitoring of and community response to hate speech and bias incidents.
  • Often conducted in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office Attorney General, and U.S. Department of Justice.
  • Designed to suit specific organizational needs and regional demographics

The Bias and Hate Speech Training typically includes the following:

  • Overview of possible underlying criminal offenses to which a hate crime charge may be added under state law.
  • Incident response methods and effect on community relations.
  • Statistical and historical overview of hate crimes, regional hate activity, incident types that may escalate into community tension or violence.

PHRC attorneys conduct legal seminars and other presentations on topics, which include the following:

  • Practicing before the PHRC
  • Retaliation
  • Illegal Discrimination Theory
  • Accessibility Law Compliance
  • Various other topics specific to areas of discrimination

Staff with the PHRC can speak on a range of civil rights topics at community events across Pennsylvania. Submit a PHRC Training Request Form [PDF] to request a speaker.

The PHRC coordinates and conducts a training program called Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together (SPIRIT).

  • Helps students and educators embrace change in their schools and address conflict head-on.
  • Challenges students to address issues and express their ideas through projects in the arts, history, English, and other courses.
  • Designed by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service.
  • Conducted by PHRC staff and partner organizations with conflict resolution expertise.
  • Requires request notice of 90 days or more.

Learn more about the SPIRIT training.

Equal educational opportunity is key to Pennsylvania's economic success. PHRC staff trains educators and other school personnel in the following issues:

  • Preventing bullying and harassment in the school environment.
  • Cultural sensitivity.
  • Accommodations for student religious or disability needs.
  • Various other issues specific equal educational opportunity.