Title VI

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT

In accordance with Title VJ of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent federal nondiscrimination directives such as the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, the Rehabilitation Act of 1987, Americans with Disabilities Act of I 990 (ADA), Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice), and Executive Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Southern Oregon Aspire assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, limited English proficiency, sex, income, age or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of its programs or activities. whether or not they are federally funded.

Additionally, under Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice) and the subsequent USDOT; FHWA and FTA directives, Southern Oregon· Aspire shall make every effort to identify and address. as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of Southern Oregon Aspire programs, policies and activities on Title VI protected populations.

Southern Oregon Aspire recognizes that the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 broadened the scope of Title VI coverage by expanding the definition of ” programs and activities” to include all programs or activities of Federal Aid recipients, sub-recipients and contractors /consultants, whether or not those programs are federally assisted.

In the event that Southern Oregon Aspire distributes federal aid funds to another governmental entity or subcontractor, Southern Oregon Aspire will include Title VJ language in all written agreements and will monitor for compliance. The Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator is responsible for initiating and monitoring Title VJ activities, preparing required repo I is and other responsibilities as required by Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 and Title 49 CFR Part 2I.

Southern Oregon Aspire is committed to complying with the requirements of Title VI in all of its programs and activities. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Southern Oregon Aspire. A complainant may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by addressing the complaint to the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor – TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

For more information about Southern Oregon Aspire’s Title VI/Non-Discrimination Program, including procedures for filing a complaint, contact the Southern Oregon Aspire Title VI Coordinator at 541-476-2373; by e-mail to [email protected]; or by visiting Southern Oregon Aspire’s administrative offices at: 1465-B NE 7th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

If information is needed in another language, contact 547- 476-8241
Si se necesita información en otro idioma haga clic aquí o contacto 541-476-8241.

DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT PROCEDURE AND FORM

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