Notifying the Public of Rights Under Title VI

Perry County Council on Aging, Inc.

The Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. 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 she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc..

For more information on the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc.’s civil rights program, the procedures to file a complaint, or to file a complaint, please contact Jesse Watkins, Executive Director at 812-547-8115; email jesse.watkins@perrycountycoa.org; or visit our administrative office at 645 Main St, Tell City, IN 47586 For more information, visit www.perrycountycoa.org

For transportation-related Title VI matters, a complaint may also be filed directly with the:

Indiana Department of Transportation

Attn: Kimberly Ray, INDOT Title VI Program Manager

100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204

317-232-0924;

kiray@indot.in.gov

Or

Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights

Attention: Complaint Team, East Building, 5 th Floor-TCR

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC, 20590.

If information is needed in another language, contact 812-547-8115.

Complaint Procedure

Any individual, group of individuals or entity that believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form.

Any individual having filed a complaint or participated in the investigation of a complaint shall not be subjected to any form of intimidation or retaliation. Individuals who have cause to think that they have been subjected to intimidation or retaliation can file a complaint of retaliation following the same procedure for filing a discrimination complaint.

A complaint must be filed with the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. no later than 180 days after the following:

1. The date of the alleged act of discrimination; or

2. The date when the person(s) became aware of the alleged discrimination; or

3. Where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was discontinued of the latest instance of the conduct.

Once the complaint is received, the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. A copy of each Title VI complaint received will be forwarded to the Indiana Department of Transportation within ten (10) calendar days of receipt. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office.

The Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. has 45 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. may contact the complainant requesting further information. The complainant has 10 business days from the date of the letter to send 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 10 business days, the Perry County Council on Aging, Inc. can administratively close the case.

After the investigator reviews the complaint, the agency will issue one of two (2) letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF).

A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed.

A letter of finding (LOF) summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur.

If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision it must direct the appeal to the agency initially. The complainant has 7 days after the date of the closure letter or the letter of finding to do so. If there is outstanding concern, the appeal may be directed to the state DOT or FTA. The appeal process information will be included in the letter.

A person may also file a complaint directly with the:

Indiana Department of Transportation

Attn: Kimberly Ray, INDOT Title VI Program Manager

100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204;

317-232-0924

kiray@indot.in.gov

Or

Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights

Attention: Complaint Team, East Building, 5 th Floor-TCR

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC, 20590.

If information is needed in another language, then contact 812-547-8115.