Title VI Complaint Process and Forms

Riverside County Transportation Department Title VI Complaint Process and Forms

The County of Riverside, on behalf of its Transportation Department, is a recipient of federal transportation funding and operates its programs without regard to race, color and national origin, age, sex and disability in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes (Title VI). Any person who believes that he or she has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the Riverside County Transportation Department (RCTD).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes (Title VI), prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in connection with programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

For more information on the RCTD’s Title VI program, the procedures to file a complaint, or if information is needed in another language, contact Frances Segovia, Title VI Coordinator, at (951) 955-1646 or email [email protected]. Upon request, assistance will be provided if you are limited in your ability to communicate in English or a person with disabilities.

How to file a Title VI Complaint?

Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, may file a Title VI Complaint with the RCTD. A Title VI complaint must be submitted in writing and signed and dated by the complainant within 180 calendar days from the most recent date of the alleged act of discrimination. The complaint should include the following information:

 The complainant's name, mailing address, and how to contact them (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.)  How, when, where and why the complainant believes he or she was discriminated against, including such information as the location, names and contact information of any witnesses  Names of individuals, if known, complainant believes are responsible for the alleged discrimination action(s)

The Title VI Complaint Form (see Attachment B) may be used to submit the complaint information. Submit the original signed form or letter in person or by mail to:

County of Riverside Transportation Department Attn: Frances Segovia, Title VI Coordinator 3525 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501

NOTE: The RCTD encourages all complainants to certify all mail that is sent through the U.S. Postal Service and/or ensure that all written correspondence can be tracked easily.

You also have the right to file complaints with other State or federal agencies that provide federal financial assistance to the RCTD or you have the right to seek private counsel.

What happens to the complaint after it is submitted?

All complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color or national origin in a service or benefit provided by the RCTD will be directly reviewed and addressed by the RCTD. If additional information is needed for assessment or investigation of the complaint, RCTD staff will contact the complainant in writing. Additionally, the RCTD shall make every effort to address all complaints in an expeditious and thorough manner.

A letter of acknowledging receipt of complaint will be mailed within seven (7) days (Attachment C). Please note that in responding to any requests for additional information, a complainant's failure to provide the requested information may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.

How will the complainant be notified of the outcome of the complaint?

The RCTD will send a final written response letter (see Attachment D or E) to the complainant. In the event that it is founded that the complaint is not substantiated, a letter will be sent notifying the complainant that the complaint is not substantiated (Attachment F) and advising of his or her right to:

1) Appeal within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the final written decision from the RCTD; and/or 2) File a complaint externally with Caltrans or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Once sufficient information for investigating the complaint is received by the RCTD, a written response will be drafted subject to review by its legal counsel. If appropriate, RCTD legal counsel may administratively close the complaint. In this case, the RCTD will notify the complainant of the action as soon as possible.

In addition to the complaint process described above, a complainant may file a Title VI complaint with the following offices:

Riverside County Transportation Department Title VI Complaint Form

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act requires that “No person in the united States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

The following information is necessary to assist us in processing your complaint.

Please complete and return this form to: Riverside County Transportation Department, RCTD Attention: Frances Segovia, Title VI Coordinator, 3525 14th Street, Riverside, California 92501. If you need assistance in completing the form, please contact Frances Segovia at (951) 955-1646 or by email: [email protected].

SECTION 1:

Name of Complainant:______

Mailing Address: ______

______

Telephone:( ) ______

Electronic Mail (e-mail) Address: ______

SECTION 2:

Are you filing this complaint on your own behalf? [ ] Yes* [ ] No *If you answered "yes" to this question, go to Section 3.

If not, please supply the following information below as it relates to the person for whom you are submitting this complaint:

Your Name:______

Address: ______

Relationship:______

Please explain why you have filed for a third party: ______

______

SECTION 3:

I believe the discrimination I experienced was based on (check all that apply):

[ ] Race [ ] Color [ ] National Origin [ ] Age [ ] Sex [ ] Disability [ ] Other

What date(s) did the alleged discrimination take place (Month, Day, Year)? ______

In your own words, please describe the nature of the action, decision, or conditions of the alleged discrimination. Explain as clearly as possible what happened, the place it happened and why you believe your protected status (basis) was a factor in the alleged discrimination. Please identify whom you believe to be responsible.

______

List any others who may have knowledge of this event:

Name Address City/State/Zip Code

______

SECTION 4:

Have you previously filed a Title VI complaint with this agency? [ ] Yes [ ] No

If yes, please provide the date, a brief description and basis of the previous compliant filed.

______

Have you filed this complaint with any other Federal, State, or local agency; or with any Federal or State court? Yes: ______No: ______

If yes, check each box that applies:

Federal Agency ______Federal Court ______State Agency______

State Court ______Local Agency______

Please provide a contact name at the agency/court where the complaint was filed:

______

Please sign below:

Complainant’s Signature: ______Date: ______

If more space is needed, please use the back of this form or additional sheets. You may attach any written material or other information relevant to the complaint.

Letter Acknowledging Receipt of Complaint

Today’s Date Ms. Jane Doe 1234 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501

Dear Ms. Doe:

This letter is to acknowledge receipt of your complaint against the Riverside County Transportation Department alleging:

______

An investigation will begin shortly. If you have additional information you wish to convey or questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact this office by contacting, Frances Segovia, Title VI Coordinator at (951) 955-1646, or write to me at this address.

County of Riverside Transportation Department Frances Segovia, Title VI Coordinator 3525 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501

Sincerely,

Frances Segovia Title VI Coordinator

Letter Notifying Complainant that the Complaint is substantiated

Today’s Date Ms. Jane Doe 1234 Main Street Riverside, CA 92503

Dear Ms. Doe:

The matter referenced in your letter of ______(date) against the Riverside County Transportation Department alleging Title VI violation has been investigated.

(An/Several) apparent violation(s) of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including those mentioned in your letter (was/were) identified. Efforts are underway to correct these deficiencies.

Thank you for calling this important matter to our attention. You were extremely helpful during our review of the program. (If a hearing is requested, the following sentence may be appropriate.) You may be hearing from this office, or from Federal authorities, if your services should be needed during the administrative hearing process.

Sincerely,

Frances Segovia Title VI Coordinator

Letter Notifying Complainant that the Complaint is not substantiated

Today’s Date Ms. Jane Doe 1234 Main Street Riverside, CA 92501

Dear Ms. Doe:

The matter referenced in your complaint of ______(date) against the Riverside County Transportation Department alleging ______has been investigated.

The results of the investigation did not indicate that the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had in fact been violated. As you know, Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in any program receiving Federal financial assistance.

The Riverside County Transportation Department has analyzed the materials and facts pertaining to your case for evidence of the department’s failure to comply with any of the civil rights laws. There was no evidence found that any of these laws have been violated.

I therefore advise you that your complaint has not been substantiated, and that I am closing this matter in our files.

You have the right to 1) appeal within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of this final written decision from the Riverside County Transportation Department, and/or 2) file a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Transportation and/or California Department of Transportation at:

California Department of Transportation Office of Business and Economic Opportunity Title VI Compliance Branch 1823 14th Street, MS-79 Sacramento, CA 95811 Telephone Number: (916) 324-8379 Fax Number: (916) 324-8430 TTY: 711 Thank you for taking the time to contact us. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Frances Segovia Title VI Coordinator