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www.dawsoncounty.org Dawson County Board of Commissioners Title VI Program Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Environmental Justice Limited English Proficiency Title VI Program and Dawson County What is Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964? Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 196 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) is the federal law that protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance. It is the policy of the Georgia Department of Transportation to incorporate the precepts of 42 U.S.C. 2000d in all programs, policies and activities. “No person in the United State shall, on the grounds 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.” Title VI covers all forms of federal aid with the exception of federally-funded contracts of insurance and guaranty. Additionally, Title VI covers employment practices resulting in discrimination against program beneficiaries or where the purpose of the federal assistance is to provide employment. Title VI Program Commitment The Georgia Department of Transportation has worked to ensure that all management staff and service recipients are aware of the provisions and responsibilities accorded under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They are available to provide technical assistance, resources, guidance and other information regarding Title VI. Please contact them if you need further assistance. Title VI and Environmental Justice On February 11, 1994, President Bill Clinton signed executive Order 12898 (Federal Action to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations). The executive order focused attention on Title VI by providing that “each agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations.” In support of Executive Order 12898, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued Order on Environmental Justice U.S. DOT Order 5610.2, which clarifies and reinforces Title VI responsibilities, as well as addresses the effects on low-income populations. Adverse Impacts May Include: Air, noise, and water pollution and soil Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values Destruction or disruption of a community cohesion or a community’s economic vitality Destruction or disruption of the availability of public and private facilities and services Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or nonprofit organizations Increased traffic congestion, isolation, exclu- sion, or separation of minority or low-income individuals within a given community or from the broader community The denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipts of, benefits of Georgia DOT programs, policies or activities. Dawson County Government Center 25 Justice Way, Suite 2233 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Dawson County Human Resources E-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] Where quality of life matters. Dawson County Board of Commissioners ---PAGE BREAK--- Location of facilities Law enforcement Program effects on people in applicable communities Housing and community development Title VI Federal-Aid Contract Provisions All federal-aid contracts must include Title VI contract assurance language in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Federal aid contractors may not discriminate in their se- lection and retention of first-tier subcontractors; and subcontracts may not discriminate in the selection or retention of second-tier subcontractors who participate in federal-aid highway construc- tion contractors and subcontractors may not discriminate in their employment in connection with highway construction projects or projects assisted by the Federal Highway Administration. How to File A Complaint You may file a signed, written complaint 180 days to the date of the alleged discrimination. The Discrimination Complaint Procedures form for Dawson County is available at www.dawsoncounty.org under Human Resources Department. The complaint should include: Your name, address and telephone number. How, why, and when you believe you were discriminated against. Include as much specific, detailed information as possible about the alleged acts of discrimination and any other relevant information. Names or any person, if known, who Dawson County’s Civil Right Unit may contact for clarity of your allegations. Public Involvement Public Involvement is an integral part of transportation planning and project development decision-making. U.S. DOT Order 5610.2 on environmental justice di- rects the Department to provide minority and low- income population access to information on, and oppor- tunities for, public participation in matters that may impact human health and environment. Title VI and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) The federal government and those receiving assistance from the federal government must take reasonable steps to ensure that Limited English Profi- ciency person have meaningful access to programs, services, and infor- mation that entities provide. This will require agencies to think “outside the box” for creative solutions to ad- dress the needs of this growing population of individu- als for whom English is not their primary language. Who is a Limited English Proficient Person? Person who do not speak English as their primary lan- guage and who have a limited ability to read, write or understand English can be limited English proficient. These individuals may be entitled to language assis- tance with respect to a particular type of service, bene- fit, or encounter. Dawson County Where Quality of Life Matters Who Must Comply and Who Can be Found in Violation All programs and operations of entities that receive assistance from the federal government. Discrimination Prohibited Under Title VI Discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is illegal and prevents minorities from gaining equal access to services and benefits to which they are entitled. The Georgia Department of Transportation, in providing federally-assisted programs, ser- vices and benefits, may not directly or indirectly discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin by: Denying program services, aids or benefits; Providing a different service, aid, or benefit or providing them in a manner different than they are provided to others; or Segregating or separately treating individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any service, aid, or benefit. Programs or ser- vices subject to Title VI include, but are not limited to: Transportation Construction Distribution of benefits and services Tax benefits enjoyed by private agencies, fraternal and non- profit organizations (i.e. 501©3, as well as educational institutions) Dawson County Board of Commissioners 25 Justice Way, Suite 2233 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] E-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] Your complaint must be signed, dated and submitted to: Dawson County Human Resources 25 Justice Way, Suite 2233 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED]