Title VI and Non-Discrimination

Title VI and Non-Discrimination

The Town of Paradise Public Works Department is committed to ensuring compliance with  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other non-discriminatory authorities, such that no person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of any program or activity conducted by the Town of Paradise Public Works Department on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by State or Federal law.

Further, no person shall be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the Town of Paradise Public Works Department, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by State or Federal law.

If information is needed in other languages or formats, contact (530) 872-6291 for assistance.

How to File a Complaint

Any person that believes they have been discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by State or Federal law by the Town of Paradise’s Public Works Department, its contractors, consultants or any other party that acts on behalf of the Public Works Department may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the Town’s Title VI Complaint Form which can be found displayed in the Town Hall lobby, located at 5555 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969. The form can also be obtained online from the linked tabs on this page:

Lastly, you can call Town of Paradise Public Works at (530) 872-6291 to request a form by mail.

The Town’s Title VI Specialist processes complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. The Title VI Specialist will only process complaints that are complete, which include at a minimum, the following:

• Complainant’s contact information
• Date of alleged act of discrimination
• Details of the alleged discrimination
• The complainant’s signature

Once the Title VI complaint is received, the Title VI Specialist will forward the complaint to Caltrans, to be submitted to the FHWA Division Office. The Title VI Specialist will also begin processing the complaint by entering said complaint into the Town’s Title VI Discrimination Complaint Log, and conducting an internal investigation. Once a finding has been determined/received, the Town’s Title VI Specialist will provide said finding to the complainant within ten business days via letter and/or email.

Complaints Processed Under the Federal Highway Administration
Title VI complaints filed with Caltrans in which Caltrans is named as the Respondent will be forwarded to the FHWA Division Office. The Complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing them that the complaint has been received and forwarded to the FHWA.

Per the FHWA Guidance Memorandum, Processing of Title VI Complaints, dated June 13, 2018, all Title VI complaints received by a sub-recipient (Town of Paradise) are to be forwarded to Caltrans to be submitted to FHWA Division Office. Complaints should be sent within one business day of receipt via email to Title.VI@dot.ca.gov. If Headquarters Office of Civil Rights (HCR) determines a Title VI complaint against a sub-recipient can be investigated by Caltrans, HCR may delegate the task of investigating the complaint to Caltrans.

Caltrans OCR Investigation Process

If OCR is delegated the responsibility of performing an investigation, OCR has 90 days to investigate the complaint. If additional time is needed, OCR will call the Complainant and inform them.

If more information is needed to resolve the case, the OCR investigator may contact the Complainant. The Complainant has ten business days from the date of the letter to send the requested information to the investigator assigned to the case.

If the investigator is not contacted by the Complainant or does not receive the additional information within ten business days, OCR can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

OCR with consult with HCR regarding the disposition of the complaint. Disposition of Title VI complaint will be undertaken by HCR, through either (1) informal resolution or (2) issuance of a Letter of Finding of compliance or noncompliance with Title VI. A copy of the Letter of Finding will be sent to all parties via the Division Office.

A person may also file a complaint directly with the FHWA and/or Caltrans by the following contact information:

Federal Highway Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

Office of Civil Rights

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

8th Floor E81-104

Washington, DC 20590
 

California Department of Transportation

Office of Civil Rights

Attention: Title VI Program Branch

1823 14th Street, MS 79

Sacramento, CA 95811

Title.VI@dot.ca.gov

Should a complaint be filed with Town of Paradise Public Works and one with a federal or state agency simultaneously, the federal/state complaint will supersede the Town’s complaint and the Town’s complaint procedures will be suspended pending the federal/state agency’s findings.