Title VI

Introduction

The complaint procedures outlined herein apply to Southern Oregon Aspire and other primary recipients and sub-recipients of Federal financial assistance. These procedures cover discrimination complaints filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other non-discrimination authorities relating to any program, services, or activities administered by Southern Oregon Aspire and its sub-recipients, consultants, and contractors.

Southern Oregon Aspire will make every effort to obtain early resolution of complaints at the lowest level possible. Complaints of alleged discrimination will be investigated by the appropriate authority. The option of informal mediation meeting(s) between the affected parties and Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator may be utilized for resolution. Upon completion of each investigation, Southern Oregon Aspire’s Title VI Coordinator will inform every complainant of all avenues of appeal.

The purpose of these discrimination complaint procedures is to describe the process used by Southern Oregon Aspire for processing complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, related statutes and authorities.

Complaint Procedure

1. Any person who believes he or she, individually, as a member of any specific class, or in connection with any disadvantaged business enterprise, has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, as amended, may file a complaint with Southern Oregon Aspire. A complaint may also be filed by a representative on behalf of such a person. All complaints will be referred to the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator for review and action.

2. In order to have the complaint considered under this procedure, the complainant must file the complaint no later than 180 days after:

1. The date of alleged act of discrimination; or
2. Where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was discontinued.
   In either case, Southern Oregon Aspire may extend the time for filing or waive the time limit in the interest of justice, as long as Southern Oregon Aspire specifies in writing the reason for so doing.

3. Complaints shall be in writing and shall be signed by the complainant and/or the complainant’s representative. Complaints shall set forth as fully as possible the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination. In the event a person makes a verbal complaint of discrimination to a Southern Oregon Aspire representative or staff, that person shall be interviewed by the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator. If necessary, the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator will assist the person in transcribing the complaint to written form and submitting the written version of the complaint to the person for signature. The complaint shall then be handled according to Southern Oregon Aspire investigative procedures.

4. Complaints may be submitted to Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator through the following methods:
By Email:[email protected]
By Mail: Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator 1465-B NE 7th Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
By Phone: 541-476-8241
By Facsimile: 541-476-8266

5. Within 10 days, the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the allegation, inform the complainant of action taken or proposed action to process the allegation, and advise the complainant of other avenues of redress available, such as the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

6. The Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator will advise ODOT and/or USDOT within 10 days of receipt of the allegations. Generally, the following information will be included in every notification to ODOT and/or USDOT:

1. Name, address, and phone number of the complainant.
2. Name(s) and address (s) of alleged discriminating official(s).
3. Basis of complaint (i.e., race, color, national origin, or sex)
4. Date of alleged discriminatory act(s).
5. Date complaint received by the recipient.
6. A statement of the complaint.
7. Other agencies (local, state, or Federal) where the complaint has been filed.
8. An explanation of the actions Southern Oregon Aspire has taken or proposed to resolve the issue in the complaint.

6. Within 60 days, the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator will conduct an investigation of the allegation and based on the information obtained, will render a recommendation for action in a report of findings to the CED Manager. The complaint should be resolved by informal means whenever possible. Such informal attempts and their results will be summarized in the report of findings.

7. Within 90 days of receipt of the complaint, the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator will notify the complainant in writing of the final decision reached, including the proposed disposition of the matter. The notification will advise the complainant of his/her appeal rights with ODOT, or USDOT, if they are dissatisfied with the final decision rendered by Southern Oregon Aspire. The Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator will also provide ODOT and/or USDOT with a copy of this decision and summary of findings upon completion of the investigation.

8. Contact information for the state and federal Title VI administrative jurisdiction is as follows:

Oregon Department of Transportation
Mail: Office of Civil Rights, Oregon Department of Transportation Attn. Title VI Officer
955 Center St. NE, Suite 471
Salem, Oregon 97301
Phone: 503-986-4350
Facsimile: 503-986-6382

Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights Mail:

Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE Washington, DC 20590