Ywca Community Jobs

TRAC ASSOCIATES COMMERCE PROGRAMS PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE You have the right to file a grievance if you believe that you have been treated unfairly by the TRAC Associates’ Employment Programs. You may also file a grievance if you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of handicap, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, belief, or citizenship.

I. If you have a grievance about the services you are receiving or have received through the TRAC Associates employment program you are a participant in, please take the following steps:

Step 1 – Informal Meeting You should meet with your case manager informally and try to resolve the grievance. Be calm, objective, and open to the other person’s viewpoint. Be specific about the issue. State what you feel is a reasonable solution, and explore options for a solution. If the grievance is not resolved after the initial meeting with the case manager, you may file a formal grievance.

Step 2 – Formal Grievance All formal grievances must be in writing. However, all grievances will be considered and dealt with regardless of format or wording. Your written grievance should clearly explain the situation. Do your best to present the facts as you see them, state whom the grievance is against, and how you would like to see the situation resolved. Be sure to include your name, address, and a telephone number of where you can be reached. You must sign the grievance in order to have it addressed. A copy of the form will be sent to the person named in the grievance and the Program Supervisor. The person named in the grievance will be allowed five (5) business days to respond in writing to the participant. A copy of the response will go to the Program Director. If the written grievance does not resolve the situation, the participant may request a grievance meeting. Send or submit your written grievance to: TRAC Associates Attn: Sherry Falk 1001 Broadway #217 Seattle, WA 98122 Step 3 – Grievance Meeting The Program Supervisor will bring the parties together and mediate a discussion to resolve the matter. This meeting allows the parties involved to talk face-to-face in a safe environment where the emphasis is on fairness and conflict resolution. A written report of the meeting, with any resolutions, will be provided within five (5) business days. If the grievance meeting does not resolve the conflict, the participant may appeal to the next administrative level and request a fair hearing.

Step 4 – Fair Hearing The fair hearing will be an opportunity for both sides to present their cases. The Program Director will act as a mediator between both parties, and make a final decision upon review of all information presented. All decisions made by the Program Director will be in writing to both parties within five (5) business days.

II. If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of handicap, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, political affiliation, belief, or citizenship, you may do one of the following:

1. If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of a handicap and that there may be a violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, you must submit a written grievance to your Program Director within 180 days of the date of the occurrence.

2. If you believe there is a violation of the McKinney Act (Dept. of Labor,) implementing regulations, grants or agreements, or if you have a grievance arising from actions taken by or on behalf of the TRAC Associates, staff, or subcontractors, you must submit a written grievance to your Program Director within one year of the occurrence.

3. If you have a grievance alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, political affiliation, belief, or citizenship, you have an indefinite time to submit a written grievance to your Program Director. Send or submit your written grievance to: TRAC Associates Attn: Sherry Falk 1001 Broadway #217 Seattle, WA 98122

If you have filed a grievance based on discrimination, the following steps will apply: 1. Your Program Supervisor will contact you. She will work with you to resolve the problems within five (5) business days after the grievance is received. If the problem is not resolved:

2. A hearing will be arranged at TRAC Associates within thirty (30) days of receipt of the written grievance. You will receive written notice of the hearing date and everything you need to know about it. Before the hearing, you may change your grievance, withdraw your grievance, or request in writing, a change of the hearing date and time. You can decide to postpone or waive a scheduled hearing in order to pursue informal resolution. You will receive a written decision within sixty (60) days of the original written grievance. If this action still does not solve your problem:

3. You may file a grievance within ten (10) days after the decision was mailed to you, by sending your request for review addressed to:

Managing Director WorkFirst Department of Commerce 1011 Plum St SE PO Box 42525 Olympia, WA 98504-2525

______I understand that the goal of my participation in Commerce Programs is to transition into unsubsidized employment as soon as possible.

______I will participate in all job search activities that will enable me to secure unsubsidized employment.

______I agree to stay in touch with my Employment Specialist by keeping all appointments and maintaining weekly contact. I agree to notify my Employment Specialist if I decide to leave the program.

______I agree that I have received orientation and that the program has been explained to me. I have received a copy of the grievance procedure. I agree to follow the rules and responsibilities of the Commerce Program.

______I agree that TRAC Associates staff will discuss my performance with work-site supervisors and DSHS WorkFirst case managers.

______I agree to participate fully in all aspects of the program including my individual development plan. Non-participation in the Community Jobs program will result in termination from the program and referral back to DSHS.

Please sign your name in the space provided below. Your signature certifies that you have read, understand and agree to the above contract.

Participant’s Signature:______Date______

Participant’s Name: ______

Employment Specialist:______Date:______

(rev. 6/2014)