Title VI

 

Notice to the Public under Title VI for GPATS

Section 601 of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states the following:

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 mistreatment under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

• The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDoT) operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes he or she has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with SCDoT, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
  South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDoT)
  Attn: Title VI Coordinator
  955 Park St, Post Office Box 191
  Columbia, SC 29229
  Phone: (803) 737-5095
  Email: smitha@scdot.org

  Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
  Office of Civil Rights
  East Bldg, 5th Floor-TCR
  1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
  Washington, DC 20590

  Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
  Attn: Title VI Team Leader
  1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
  Washington, DC 20590
  Email: nicole.mcwhorter@dot.gov
• Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS) operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  Any person who believes he or she has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a report with GPATS.
• For more information contact the GPATS Executive Director Keith Brockington at kbrockington@greenvillecounty.org or (864) 467-7143 or the Title VI Coordinator Asangwua Ikein at aikein@greenvillecounty.org or (864) 467-7287.
• Complaints must be filed (in writing or verbally) within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.
• For additional information on the Title VI Program, you may contact SCDoT Title VI Coordinator or visit the website at https://www.scdot.org/business/bus-development-titleVI.aspx.
  • If information is needed in another language, contact (803) 737-5095.
  • ~Si se necesita información en otro idioma llame al (803) 737-5095.
• For additional information on the Title VI Program, you may contact GPATS Title VI Coordinator or visit the website at http://www.gpats.org/Plans/TitleVI.aspx.
  • If information is needed in another language, contact (864) 467-7270.
  • ~Si se necesita información en otro idioma llame al (864) 467-7270.

As outlined in the Public Participation Plan (PPP), GPATS’ public notices in public areas of the agency’s offices, posted to http://gpats.org/AboutGPATS/Calendar.aspx, meeting notices and calendar events are listed by Greenville County, at https://www.greenvillecounty.org/apps/CalendarGC/CountyCouncil.aspx, as meeting rooms are reserved, and any public notices of official changes to plans (e.g., TIP Amendments) are published with the Greenville News.”

Complaint Procedures

Introduction

These procedures apply to complaints filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, relating to any program and/or activity administered by GPATS or its sub-recipients, consultants, and/or contractors. Intimidation or retaliation of any kind is prohibited by law.

These procedures do not deny the right of the complainant to file formal complaints with other State or Federal agencies or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination. These procedures are part of an administrative process that does not provide for remedies that include punitive damages or compensatory remuneration for the complainant.

Every effort will be made to obtain early resolution of complaints at the lowest possible level. The option of informal mediation meeting(s) between the affected parties and the investigator may be utilized for resolution at any stage of the process. GPATS will make every effort to pursue a resolution of the complaint. Initial interviews with the complainant and the respondent will include requests for information regarding specific relief and settlement options.

Filing

Any person who believes that he or she or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination or retaliation prohibited by Civil Rights authorities, based upon race, color, or national origin may file a written complaint to GPATS’ Title VI Program Coordinator. A formal complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged occurrence or when the alleged discrimination became known to the complainant. The complaint must meet the following requirements:

• Complaints must be in writing and signed by the complainant(s).
• Complaints must include the date of the alleged act(s) of discrimination (date when the complainant(s) became aware of the alleged discrimination; or the date on which the conduct was discontinued or the latest instance of the conduct.
• Complaints must present a detailed description of the issues, including names, job titles, and addresses of those individuals perceived as parties in the action complained against.

Receipt and Acceptance

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Title VI Program Coordinator will determine its jurisdiction and need for additional information. The complaint will be forwarded to the GPATS Executive Director for a determination of acceptability. The GPATS Executive Director will notify the complainant, in writing, within five (5) calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

In order to be accepted, a complaint must meet the following criteria:

1. The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged occurrence or when the alleged discrimination became known to the complainant.
2. The allegation(s) must involve a covered basis such as race, color, or national origin.
3. The allegation(s) must involve a program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.

GPATS will assume responsibility for investigating complaints against any of its sub-recipients. Complaints in which GPATS is named as the respondent, shall be forwarded to SCDoT or the appropriate federal agency for proper disposition, in accordance with their procedures.

Dismissal

A complaint may be recommended for dismissal for the following reasons:

1. The complainant requests withdrawal of the complaint.
2. The complainant fails to respond to repeated requests for additional information needed to process the complaint.
3. The complainant cannot be located after reasonable attempts to contact the complainant.

Investigation of Complaints

In cases where GPATS assumes responsibility for the investigation, GPATS will provide the respondent with the opportunity to respond to the allegations in writing. GPATS will designate an investigative team responsible for evaluating the complaint, developing an investigative plan, conducting interviews, collecting and analyzing evidence, and preparing an investigative complaint.

GPATS’ final investigative complaint will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), or appropriate federal agency, within 90 days of receipt of the complaint. FHWA will issue a final agency decision (FAD) and provide written notification of the decision to the complainant and respondent.

Appeals

If FHWA concludes that the respondent is in compliance with laws/regulations and the complainant disagrees, the complainant may, if dissatisfied, file an action in the appropriate U.S. District Court.”