Title VI Program
Table of Contents
Introduction
Signed Policy Statement
Title VI Complaint Procedures
Record of Title VI investigations, complaints, or lawsuits
Mendocino Transit Authority Limited English Proficiency Outreach Plan
Notification of Mendocino Transit Authority Title VI obligations
Summary of Public Participation Efforts
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
http://mendocinolocal.local/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PUBLIC-NOTICE-Title-VI-English.docx
Introduction
This program reflects the Mendocino Transit Authority’s (MTA) commitment to ensuring that no person shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by MTA.
Signed Policy Statement
A policy statement signed by Bruce Richard, former General Manager, assuring Mendocino Transit Authority’s compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, can be found as Attachment A.
Title VI Procedures for Handling Complaints
The MTA has a standard process for investigating all complaints. Full procedures for filing a complaint and MTA’s procedures for investigating complaints can be found as Attachment B.
The complaint may be filed in writing with Mendocino Transit Authority at the following address:
Mendocino Transit Authority
Jacob King, Interim Executive Director
241 Plant Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
By Phone: 707-234-6444
By Facsimile: 707-462-1760
Email: jacob@mendocinotransit.org
Record of Title VI investigations, complaints, or lawsuits
Over the reporting period, Mendocino Transit Authority had no Title VI complaints, investigations or lawsuits filed against it.
Mendocino Transit Authority Limited English Proficiency Outreach Plan
A full copy of MTA’s outreach plan for individuals with limited English proficiency can be found in Attachment C. Key elements of the plan include:
- Spanish speaking translators are available during normal business hours Monday through Friday..
- Public Timetables are available in both English and Spanish.
- Public Timetables and system information is available in Spanish on the MTA’s website.
- Transit surveys conducted by MTA are provided in Spanish as well as English.
- Latino outreach meetings/forums are conducted regularly within the Spanish speaking community in the County. Information was provided in Spanish and when and if needed translators would be on site to help with questions or concerns.
Notification of Mendocino Transit Authority Title VI obligations
Mendocino Transit Authority publicizes its Title VI program by posting its commitment to providing services without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability in all buses, MTA offices, and on the website.
The postings include the following statements:
- Mendocino Transit Authority does not discriminate in the operation of its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.
- Please contact MTA’s General Manager with questions or comments about MTA’s non-discrimination policies, to get additional information, or to file a complaint.
In person or by mail:
Jacob King, Interim Executive Director
241 Plant Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
Email address: jacob@mendocinotransit.org
By Phone: 707-234-6446
By Facsimile: 707-462-1760
Summary of Public Participation Efforts
Over the last reporting period, MTA conducted the following public outreach and involvement activities:
Public Timetables:
All public timetables always include Spanish sections and are available on the MTA website.
General Awareness and Phone Surveys:
We conduct onboard rider and general awareness surveys frequently. In 2010 a marketing/commute study was undertaken to garner information from the public regarding their perceptions of public transportation and to gather information that is used to develop new services. As with all grant projects, MTA we aggressively pursue participation from the Latino community.
Bilingual Outreach:
MTA’s bilingual receptionists provide Spanish-speaking guests with information on public transit services in Spanish. Bilingual assistance is utilized in outreach programs when needed and appropriate. Additionally, MTA conducts on-going advertising in all Latino publications available in the County and on Latino radio stations.
Phone Access:
Our phone system currently includes a Spanish option on the MTA’s recorded greeting. A bilingual receptionist is available to answer phone inquiries for Spanish speaking customers during business hours. After business hours inquiries can be left on the bilingual voice mail and are responded to promptly the next business day.
Short Range Transit Development Plan (SRTDP):
MTA conducts a SRTDP every five years. Latino agencies, and influential members of the Latino community are major stakeholders from which feed-back and input on MTA services will be solicited.
Attachment A
MENDOCINO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
TITLE VI
NON-DISCRIMINATION
POLICY STATEMENT
May 1, 2011
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:
It is the policy of the Mendocino Transit Authority that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Bruce Richard,
General Manager
Attachment B
Discrimination Procedure for Handling Complaints
- Any person who believes that 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 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, as amended, may file a complaint with Mendocino Transit Authority. A complaint may also be filed by a representative on behalf of such a person. All complaints will be referred to the Finance/Personnel Manager for review and action.
- In order to have the complaint considered under this procedure, the complainant must file the complaint no later than 180 days after:
- The date of alleged act of discrimination; or
- Where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was discontinued.
- In either case, Mendocino Transit Authority may extend the time for filing or waive the time limit in the interest of justice, as long Mendocino Transit Authority specifies in writing the reason for so doing. 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 that a person makes a verbal complaint of discrimination to an officer or employee of Mendocino Transit, the person shall be told to put this in writing, or given help by referring to the appropriate agency for assistance. The complaint shall then be handled according to Mendocino Transit’s investigative procedures.
- Within 10 working days of receipt of the written complaint, the Finance/Personnel Manager 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 STATEDOT and USDOT.
- Mendocino Transit Authority will advise STATEDOT and/or USDOT within 10 days of receipt of the allegations. Generally, the following information will be included in every notification to STATEDOT and/or USDOT:
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- Name, address, and phone number of the complainant.
Name(s) and address(es) of alleged discriminating employee or official(s).
- Basis of complaint (i.e., race, color, national origin or sex)
- Date of alleged discriminatory act(s).
- Date of complaint received by the recipient.
- A statement of the complaint.
- Other agencies (state, local or Federal) where the complaint has been filed (if known).
- An explanation of the actions Mendocino Transit Authority has taken or proposed to resolve the issue in the complaint.
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- Within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the complaint, the Finance/Personnel Manager 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 General 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.
- Within 90 calendar days of receipt of the complaint, the General Manager 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 STATEDOT, or USDOT, if they are dissatisfied with the final decision rendered by Mendocino Transit. The Administrative Finance/Personnel Manager will also provide STATEDOT and/or USDOT with a copy of this decision and summary of findings upon completion of the investigation.
Contacts for the different Title VI administrative jurisdictions are as follows:
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
California Department of Transportation
Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Program
Discrimination Complaint Investigation Unit
1823 14th Street, MS-79
Sacramento, CA 95811
Attachment C
MENDOCINO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) PLAN
May 1, 2011
Mendocino Transit Authority is required to take responsible steps to ensure meaningful access to the benefits, services, information and other important portions of our programs and activities of individuals who are Limited English Proficient (LEP). Mendocino Transit Authority consulted the USDOT’s LEP Guidance and performed a four factor analysis of our contact with the public to determine the appropriate mix of LEP services to offer.
Four Factor Analysis:
1) The nature and importance of service provided by Mendocino Transit Authority
Mendocino Transit Authority provides important transit services to the public through its fixed route, paratransit, Senior Center subsidy, vanpool and rideshare programs. Mendocino Transit Authority is a Joint Powers Authority and is the only public transportation provider in the county and provides a link between the rural areas and the four incorporated cities which offers shopping, healthcare and other services the public accesses frequently.
2) The number or proportion of LEP persons in the service area.
Data was gathered from the following sources to identify information on persons who do speak languages other than English at home, and who speak it less than well or not at all, and would be classified as limited English proficient or “LEP”:
a. 2010 Census Data.
b. The Office of Institutional Research – Mendocino College
A review of the census data on the numbers of limited English proficient or LEP persons revealed that in Mendocino County, CA the highest percentage of total population 5 years and over that spoke a language other than English at home were Spanish speakers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2009 American Community Survey, there are 17,274 Latinos living in the County, or 20.1% of the total population of 86,020 residents.
3) The frequency with which LEP individuals come into contact with the service.
We serve LEP persons daily via our fixed route, paratransit, Senior Center subsidy, vanpool and rideshare programs. The Bilingual Receptionists in our administrative offices speak Spanish and translate in person or over the phone a total of approximately _20___ times a day. We have an average of _30_______calls a month that require translations when Spanish speaking employees are unavailable and had no calls for languages other than Spanish. Voice mail is available and staff responds the next business day to any and all messages left there.
4) The resources available to the recipient of the federal funds to assure meaningful access to the service by LEP persons
Mendocino Transit Authority currently provides some information in Spanish such as surveys, bus routes and fares, public service announcements and information on the buses. Mendocino Transit Authority has three experienced staff members who are fluent in both Spanish and English.
Implementation Plan:
Based on the four factor analysis, Mendocino Transit Authority recognizes the need to continue providing language services in the region. A review of Mendocino Transit Authority relevant programs, activities and services that are being offered or will continue to be offered by the Mendocino Transit Authority as of May 2011 include:
- Spanish speaking translators are available during normal business hours.
- Public Timetables are available in both English and Spanish.
- Route and schedule information available in Spanish on the Mendocino Transit Authority website.
- Transit surveys conducted by Mendocino Transit Authority were available in Spanish.
- Latino outreach meetings/forums are regularly conducted in the County to inform the Latino community of the services offered by MTA. Information was provided by bilingual staff on site to answer any questions or address concerns.
Mendocino Transit Authority’s outreach and marketing initiatives have yielded a list of community organizations that serve populations with limited English proficiency. The following list of community organizations, school systems, and religious organizations will be contacted to assist in gathering information and see what services are most frequently sought by the LEP population:
- Nuestra Casa
- South Valley High School
- Nuestra Alianza
- Migrant Education
- Ukiah Unified School District
- Safe Passage Family Resource Centers
Mendocino Transit Authority will contact the community organizations that serve LEP persons, as well as LEP persons themselves, and perform a four factor analysis every three years to identify what, if any, additional information or activities might better improve MTA’s services to assure non-discriminatory service to LEP persons. Mendocino Transit Authority will then evaluate the projected financial and personnel needed to provide the requested services and assess which of these can be provided cost-effectively.