Title VI Policy
Effective February 2014
Revised: June 2017
A Complainant should file a complaint in the order listed below:
Community Transit Service- P.O. Box 612 (Corsicana, Texas 75151-0612)
TXDOT- Public Transportation Division- 125 E. 11th (Austin, Texas 78701)
FTA-Office of Civil Right-Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor-TCR 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, (Washington, DC 20590)
If information is needed in another language, contact (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924
SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that no person in the United States, on the grounds of race, color or national origin be excluded from, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination may file a written complaint with CTS office. Federal and state law requires complaints be filed within one-hundred eighty (180) calendar days of the last alleged incident. The agency will notify their PTC (Public Transportation Coordinator) by email or fax of any Title VI-related complaints received within 10 working days of the receipt of the complaint, including a paper or electronic copy of the complaint form.
Complaint Form
A complaint form may be obtained or a complainant may be submitted in a written statement that contains the following information:
Office: Community Transit Services
408 E.7th Ave
Corsicana, Texas 75110
Website: www.csicorsicana.org
Se puede obtener un formulario de queja o se puede presentar un reclamante en una declaración escrita que contenga la siguiente información:
Oficina: Community Transit Service
408 E.7th Ave
Corsicana, Texas 75110
Sitio web: www.csicorsicana.org
What Happens To My Complaint?
The agency will notify their PTC (Public Transportation Coordinator) by email or fax of any Title VI-related complaints received within 10 working days of the receipt of the complaint, including a paper or electronic copy of the complaint form.
The Title VI Complaint Coordinator will contact the complainant in writing no later than fifteen (15) working days after receipt of complaint for additional information, if needed to investigate the complaint. If the complainant fails to provide the requested information in a timely basis, the Title VI Complaint Coordinator may administratively close the complaint.
The Executive Director and the Title VI Complaint Coordinator will complete the investigation within thirty calendar (30) days of receipt of the complaint. A written investigation report will be prepared by the investigator and will be kept confidential. The report shall include a summary description of the incident, findings and recommendations. A written report will be provided to the customer on the incident and findings.
If the matter cannot be resolved, then the complainant can make an appeal request within sixty (60) days of the incident. The written appeal must include the customer’s name, address, and telephone contact number. A statement of reason(s) why the complainant believes the denial of accommodation request or access to public transportation was inappropriate is recommended. If the matter cannot be resolved, it may be taken to the CTS Board for an appeal and if the matter cannot be resolved the complainant will be informed of his/her right to appeal to:
Federal Transit Administration-Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator,
East Building, 5th Floor- TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE. Washington, DC 20590
Exhibit B
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. Should you require any assistance in completing this form, please let us know. If information is needed in another language, then contact (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924. SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME (903)872-2405 o 1(800)834-1924. Complete and return this form to: Community Transit Services, Title VI Complaint Coordinator, P.O. Box 612, Corsicana, Texas 75151-0612. You may also fax a complaint form to 1(903)875-3779 or scan and e-mail to [email protected].
(Alt):_________________________
Name: ________________________________ Address: ________________________________
City: ___________________________ State: _______ Zip Code: ___________
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If so, list agency/ agencies and contact information below
Address: ____________________________ City: ________________ State: ______ Zip Code: _______
Address: ____________________________ City: ________________ State: ______ Zip Code: _______
Complainants Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ______________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Print or Type Name of Complainant
Date Received: _______________________
Received By: _______________________
Exposición B
Formulario De Quejas Title VI
Community Transit Services centra sus esfuerzos en garantizar que nadie sea excluido de la participación en sus servicios ni que se nieguen los beneficios de estos, con base en raza, color u origen nacional, en conformidad con las disposiones del Title VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y enmiendas. Las quejas bajo el Title VI deben presentarse en el transcurso de 180 días a partir de qué ocurre la discriminación supuesta.
La información siguiente es necesaria para ayudarnos en el procesamiento de su queja. Si requiere ayuda para llenar este formulario, le agradeceremos que se dirija al Title VI Coordinator, al teléfono (903) 872-0561. SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME (903)872-2405 o 1(800)834-1924. If information is needed in another language, then contact (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924.
El formulario completo debe devolverse al Title VI Coordinator, Community Transit Services P.O. Box 612, Corsicana, Texas 75151-0612. También puede enviar por fax un formulario de queja a (903) 872-0561 o exploración y correo electrónico a [email protected]
El Nombre: _____________________________ Dirección: ________________________________
Ciudad: ______________________ Estado: ________ Código Postal: _____________
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____________________________________________________________________________________
(Marque Uno) SI___ No___
Agencia: _____________________________________ Número de contacto: _____________
Dirección: _____________________ Ciudad: _______________ Estado: ___ Código Postal:__________
Firma del declarante: _____________________________ Fecha: _________________
______________________________________________________________________
ie o escriba en letra de imprenta el nombre del declarante
Fecha de recepcion: __________________
Recibido por: ______________________
Community Transit Service
Policy on Public Participation and Comment
Public Participation Plan
Date Approved by Transit Board
___________________
Community Transit Service is committed to providing an open and visible decision-making process to which Ellis/Navarro County residents has equal access. It is the policy of the Community Transit Service to actively solicit the involvement of citizens in the public decision-making process, through public notification, media exposure, neighborhood meeting, and public hearings.
Further, it is the policy of the Community Transit Service to offer early and continuous opportunities for the public to be involved in the identification of social, economic, and environmental impacts of proposed transportation decisions. This includes seeking out and considering the viewpoints of minority, low-income, and limited English proficiency (LEP) populations (as well as older adults and people with limited mobility) in the course of conducting public outreach activities, consistent with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1B (“Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients”).
Goal
The goal of the Public Engagement Plan is to have significant and ongoing public involvement, by all identified audiences, in the public participation process for major agency outreach efforts.
Objectives – Applicable to FTA C 4702.1B
Identification of Stakeholders
Stakeholders are those who are either directly or indirectly affected by an outreach effort, system or service plan or recommendations of that plan. Stakeholders include but are not limited to the following:
Elements of the Public Participation/Engagement Plan
It is necessary to establish a public participation plan that includes an outreach plan to engage minority and limited English proficient (LEP) populations.
Elements of the Public Engagement Plan include:
Public Notice
Events such as public meetings and/or open houses are held at schools, churches, libraries and other non-profit locations easily accessible to public transit and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
iii. Regular mail.
All public comments are provided to the Board of Directors prior to decision making. A publicly available summary report is compiled, including all individual comments.
The following principles will be used to develop the Public Involvement Plan for Community Transit Service projects and programs. At this time CTS is participating in the Regional Planning/ Needs Assessment for Ellis and Navarro County with NCTCOG:
scheduled early in the project planning process. Notices will be sent to organized
neighborhood groups and any individual who has requested notification.
provide early and continuous opportunities for the public to be involved in the
identification of the impacts of proposed decisions. It will also reflect the Community
Transit Service’s policy to seek out the viewpoints of minority, low-income, and L0imited
English Proficiency (LEP) populations, as well as older adults and people with limited
mobility, in the course of conducting public outreach and involvement activities, consistent
with the Community Transit Service’s Title VI Program, on access for individuals with
Limited English Proficiency and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) LEP Guidance.
plan, program, or service under consideration.
with disabilities, and will be scheduled at times that are convenient for members of the
public.
English and Spanish (e.g., through posters onboard buses and at major transit stops and
facilities, and local print media) and notification will be provided regarding the availability
of language assistance.
During development of the Public Involvement Plan and/or planning for public engagement in general, the Community Transit Service will incorporate strategies intended to promote involvement of minority and LEP individuals in public participation activities, as appropriate for the plan, project, or service in question, and consistent with Federal Title VI regulations, Executive Order 13166 on Limited English Proficiency, and the U.S. Department of Transportation LEP Guidance.
At a minimum, staff will implement the strategies identified in Section D, including holding public meetings in locations that are accessible to transit riders and people with disabilities, scheduling meetings at times that are convenient for members of the public, advertising meetings and hearing in English and Spanish, and providing notice of the availability of language assistance.
In addition, Community Transit Service staff should consider implementing the following public engagement strategies to complement the minimum requirements, as appropriate to the plan, project, or service:
* Using supplemental outreach strategies such as surveys regarding Community Transit Service projects or proposed service changes.
* Partnering with community organizations to engage members of the public who are less likely to attend traditional public meetings (including LEP populations) through means such as surveys and focus groups. The Community Transit Service maintains a list of current and potential future community partners.
* Attending community events and meetings of neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, and other groups to solicit feedback from diverse members of the public.
Community Transit Service staff may consult FTA Circular 4702.1B (“TITLE VI REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION RECIPIENTS”) for additional strategies that may be incorporated into the Public Involvement Plan.
CTS ensures all outreach strategies, communications and public involvement efforts comply with Title VI. CTS’s Public Engagement Plan proactively initiates the public involvement process and makes concerted efforts to involve members of all social, economic, and ethnic groups in the public involvement process. Aligned with the above referenced communication tactics, CTS provides the following:
2017 – 2020 Title VI Program Public Engagement Process
CTS [will conduct] [conducted] a Public Engagement Process for the 2017-2020 Title VI Program. This process includes Community Meetings to seek input, provide education, and highlight key components of the Title VI Plan. Materials have been created to explain Title VI policies as well as provide education on how they relate to minority populations.
CTS [will provide] [provided] briefings to the Board of Directors and Advisory Bodies.
CTS [will conduct] [conducted] a 30 day public comment period to provide opportunities for feedback on the 2017-2020 Title VI Program.
Comments are accepted during the public outreach period via:
Summary of 2017-2020 Public Outreach Efforts
The Public Participation Plan include information about outreach methods to engage minority and limited English proficiency (LEP) populations, as well as a summary of outreach efforts made since the last Title VI Program submission.
Efforts to involve minority and LEP populations include both comprehensive measures as well as targeted measures to address linguistic, institutional, religious, cultural, economic, historical, or other barriers that may prevent minority and LEP persons from effectively participating in a sub-recipient’s decision-making process.
It is the policy of the Community Transit Service to solicit public opinion and consider public comment before raising fare or implementing a major service change.
A public hearing is required prior to implementation of a fare increase or a major service change. A “major” service change is defined as a modification that affects 25% or more of a single route or 25% or more of all routes. Additional public involvement strategies, such as public meetings, neighborhood meetings, or other outreach to affected individuals will be implemented as appropriate to solicit public comment for consideration in advance of the public hearing. Public comments received will be compiled and considered prior to finalizing the Community Transit Service’s recommendation to the transit board regarding a fare increase or major service change. A summary of the public comments received will be provided as part of the staff report submitted to the transit board for the fare increase or major service reduction in question.
The public hearing will be scheduled as part of a regular transit board meeting, the Community Transit Service’s citywide outreach mailing list, posters and flyers on buses. The hearing will also be advertised through targeted outreach to neighborhood groups or other organizations and individuals, as appropriate to the proposed change. Notices regarding the public hearing will be provided in both English and Spanish. The Community Transit Service will additionally post notice of the public hearing in the local newspapers. The public hearing will consist of a staff report before the transit board, followed by public testimony.
The agency has not constructed any facilities.
Attachment 1 provides additional information on practices related to public comment.
Attachment 1
Additional information on process for soliciting public comment on service changes
Proposed service changes are developed by Community Transit Service staff. Once proposals are finalized, printed information is created that explains the proposed changes. These informational materials (available in English and Spanish) are placed on the buses and used as handouts at public informational meetings and hearings. Flyers and posters that direct interested individuals to the these materials are also posted on the buses, at Community Transit Service offices, and are provided to facilities (libraries, senior communities, human service organizations, schools, etc.) which are likely to be impacted by the service changes.
Any interested individual is invited to make comments. Comments may be submitted in person at the public informational meetings and public hearings. They may also be submitted in person at the public informational meetings and public hearings. They may also be submitted by mail and by Comment Card. In addition, comments may be submitted over the phone to Community Transit Service’s representatives and via email.
Information about scheduled public meetings is available via:
All comments received are reviewed by Community Transit Service Management and considered in the final decisions. The goal of the Community Transit Service is to always provide the best possible service to the most current riders or potential riders.
Notifying the Public of Rights under Title VI
Community Transit Service
*Community Transit Service 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 Community Transit Service.
*For more information on Community Transit Service’s Title VI Program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924; email [email protected]; visit our website: www.csicorsicana.org or administrative office at 408 E. 7THAve. Corsicana, Texas 75110.
*A complainant may first file a complaint directly with TXDOT Public Transportation Division 125 E.11TH Austin, Texas 75801
*Then a complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5thFloor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590
*If information is needed in another language, then contact (903)872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924.
SI NECESITA INFORMACION EN OTRO IDIOMA LLAME (903)872-2405 o 1(800)834-1924
Notice to the public is posted:
Notificación al público de los derechos del Título VI Servicio de tránsito comunitario
* El Servicio de Tránsito Comunitario opera sus programas y servicios sin tener en cuenta raza, color y origen nacional de acuerdo con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles. Cualquier persona que crea que ha sido agraviada por cualquier práctica discriminatoria ilegal bajo el Título VI puede presentar una queja ante el Servicio de Tránsito Comunitario.
* Para obtener más información sobre el programa de derechos Título VI Servicio de Tránsito Comunitario y los procedimientos para presentar una queja, comuníquese con (903) 872-2405 o 1 (800) 834-1924; Correo electrónico [email protected]; Visite nuestro sitio web: www.csicorsicana.org o la oficina administrativa en 408 E. 7THAve. Corsicana, Texas 75110.
* Un denunciante puede primero presentar una queja directamente con la División de Transporte Público de TXDOT 125 E.11TH Austin, Texas 75801
* Luego, un denunciante puede presentar una queja directamente con la Administración Federal de Tránsito presentando una queja ante la Oficina de Derechos Civiles, Atención: Título VI Coordinador del Programa, Edificio Este, 5to piso-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington DC 20590
* Si necesita información en otro idioma, llame al (903) 872-2405 o 1 (800) 834-1924. If information is needed in another language, then contact (903) 872-2405 or 1(800)834-1924. |
Se publica un aviso al público:
RECORD OF TITLE VI INVESTIGATIONS, COMPLAINTS AND/OR LAWSUITS, AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
There are no active lawsuits or complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin with respect to transit service provided by Community Transit Service in the past.
Community Transit Service has not received any requests for a civil rights compliance review from any local, state, or federal agency in the past.
Community Transit Service has not participated in any federally funded construction projects in the past.
Date
(Month, Day, Year) |
Summary (include basis of complaint: race, color, or national origin) | Status | Action(s) Taken | |
Investigations | ||||
1. | ||||
2. | ||||
Lawsuits | ||||
1. | ||||
2. | ||||
Complaints | ||||
1. | ||||
2. |
Table Depicting Minority Representation on Committees and Councils selected by the Recipient
Advisory Bodies
CTS will not deny a person the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning, advisory, or similar body which is an integral part of the program on the grounds of race, color, or national origin.
CTS do not have transit-related non-elected planning boards, advisory councils or committees, or similar committees that are selected by the agency. If CTS establishes such boards or committees, a table will be used to depict the racial breakdown of the membership of those committees and will be included in future Title VI programs in lieu of the agency’s board demographics. In addition, a description of efforts made to encourage the participation of minorities on such committees will also be included.
Table Depicting Membership of Committees, Councils, Broken Down by Race
Body | Caucasian | African American | Other |
Public Rep. | 0 % | 20 % | 0 % |
Civic Rep. | 0 % | 60 % | 0 % |
Client Rep. | 0 % | 20 % | 0 % |
Limited English Proficiency Plan
Community Services, lnc. /Community Transit Services
Introduction
This Limited English Proficiency Plan has been prepared to address the Community Service Inc. /Community Transit Service responsibilities as a recipient of federal financial assistance as they relate to the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency language skills. The plan has been prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000, et seq, and its implementing regulations, which state that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.
Executive Order 13166, titled Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, indicates that differing treatment based upon a person’s inability to speak, read, write or understands English is a type of national origin discrimination. It directs each agency to publish guidance for its respective recipients clarifying their obligation to ensure that such discrimination does not take place. This order applies to all state and local agencies which receive federal funds, including all Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service departments receiving federal grant funds.
Plan Summary The Community Services, Inc./Community Transit Service has developed this Limited English Proficiency Plan to help identify reasonable steps for providing language assistance to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) who wish to access services provided. As defined Executive order 13166, LEP persons are those who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English. This plan outlines how to identify a person who may need language assistance the ways in which assistance may be provided, staff training that may be required, and how to notify LEP persons that assistance is available.
In order to prepare this plan, the Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit used the four-factor LEP analysis which considers the following factors:
MEANINGFUL ACCESS: FOUR-FACTOR ANALYSIS
The Community Services Inc. /Community Transit Service staff reviewed the 2010 U.S. Census Report and determined that 197,345 persons in Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service 39.5% of the population speak a language other than English. Of those 77,951 persons 56.5% have limited English proficiency; that is, they speak English “not well” or “not at all”, this is only a 22.5% of the overall population in the service area. In Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service service area, of those persons with limited English proficiency, 42,359 speak Spanish and 980 speak Puerto Rican, and 703 speak Cuban language.
The Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service staff reviewed the frequency with which the office staff and bus/van drivers have, or could have, contact with LEP persons. This includes documenting phone inquiries or office visits. To date the Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service has had no requests for interpreters and no requests for translated program documents. The Office staff and bus/van drivers have had very little contact with LEP persons.
Safe Harbor Provision
In accordance with the Safe Harbor Provision, it has been determined that vital documents should be translated into Spanish. DOT has adopted DOJ’s Safe Harbor Provision, which outlines circumstances that can provide a “safe harbor” for recipients regarding translation of written materials for LEP populations. The Safe Harbor Provision stipulates that, if a recipient provides written translation of vital documents for each eligible LEP language group that constitutes five percent (5%) or 1,000 persons, whichever is less, of the total population of persons eligible to be served or likely to be affected or encountered, then such action will be considered strong evidence of compliance with the recipient’s written translation obligations. Translation of non-vital documents, if needed, can be provided orally. If there are fewer than 50 persons in a language group that reaches the five percent (5%) trigger, the recipient is not required to translate vital written materials but should provide written notice in the primary language of the LEP language group of the right to receive competent oral interpretation of those written materials, free of cost.
These safe harbor provisions apply to the translation of written documents only. They do not affect the requirement to provide meaningful access to LEP individuals through competent oral interpreters where oral language services are needed and are reasonable. A recipient may determine, based on the Four Factor Analysis, that even though a language group meets the threshold specified by the Safe Harbor Provision, written translation may not be an effective means to provide language assistance measures. For example, a recipient may determine that a large number of persons in that language group have low literacy skills in their native language and therefore require oral interpretation. In such cases, background documentation regarding the determination shall be provided to FTA in the Title VI Program.
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE
A person who does not speak English as their primary language and who has limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English may be a Limited English Proficient person and may be entitled to language assistance with respect to Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service services. Language assistance can include interpretation, which means oral or spoken transfer of a message from one language into another language and/or translation, which means the written transfer of a message from one language into another language. The agency will provide a list of all vital written documents which includes, but are not limited to, consent and complaint forms; intake and application forms with the potential for important consequences; written notices of rights; notice of denials, losses, or decreases in benefits or services; and notice advising LEP individuals of free language assistance services.
How the Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service staff may identify an LEP person who needs language assistance:
Language Assistance Measures
Although there is a very low percentage in the Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service of LEP individuals, that is, persons who speak English “not well” or “not at all”, we will offer the following measures:
STAFF TRAINING
The following training is provided to all staff:
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS
The Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service are translating documents for these LEP groups. The following resources will be available to accommodate LEP persons. All vital written documents which includes, but are not limited to, consent and complaint forms; intake and application forms with the potential for important consequences; written notices of rights; notice of denials, losses, or decreases in benefits or services; and notice advising LEP individuals of free language assistance services. All staff is trained on Title VI and LEP responsibilities.
MONITORING
Monitoring and Updating the LEP Plan The Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Service will update the LEP Plan as required. At a minimum, the plan was reviewed and updated when data from the 2010 U.S. Census was available, or when it was clear that higher concentrations of LEP individuals are present in the Community Services, Inc. /Community Transit Services service area. Updates include the following:
Official Approval of Title VI Nondiscrimination Program
As Executive Director of Community Services, Inc. dba Community Transit Service and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I hereby ascertain that the Board of Directors approved the above revised Title VI Nondiscrimination Program on ________________. An earlier version was approved by the Board of Directors and adopted effective February 2014.
____________________________________ ________________
Daniel Edwards, Executive Director Date
____________________________________ _________________
Reverend Dairy Johnson, President Date