Complaint Form - Cascades East Transit

Nondiscrimination Complaint Procedures

These procedures apply to all complaints filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, relating to any program or activity administered by CET
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 level possible. The option of
informal mediation meeting(s) between the affected parties and the Title VI/ADA Compliance Officer may be
utilized for resolution, at any stage of the process. The Title VI/ADA Compliance Officer will make every effort to
pursue a resolution of the complaint. Initial interviews with the complainant and the respondent will
request information regarding specifically requested relief and settlement opportunities.

Procedures

1. Any individual, group of individuals, or entity that believes they have been subjected to discrimination
prohibited by Title VI nondiscrimination provisions may file a written complaint 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:

a. Complaint shall be in writing and signed by the complainant(s) or provided via telephone to a
call center staff member.
b. Include the date of the alleged act of discrimination (date when the complainant(s) became
aware of the alleged discrimination; or the date on which that conduct was discontinued or
the latest instance of the conduct.
c. Present a detailed description of the issues, including names and job titles (if available) of
those individuals perceived as parties to the alleged incident.
d. Complaints must be submitted in writing, or via telephone to be accepted. Complaints may
be submitted via the online complaint form, email, fax, or mail. Contact details for submitting
complaints are provided at the bottom of the complaint form.
e. Complaints received by telephone will be notated in writing by the call-taker and will follow
the same process as complaints submitted in writing. If requested, a complaint form will be
forwarded to the complainant for him/her to complete, sign, and return to CET for
processing.

2. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Title VI/ADA Compliance Officer will determine its jurisdiction,
acceptability, and need for additional information, as well as investigate the merit of the complaint. In
cases where the complaint is against one of CET’s sub- recipients of Federal funds, CET will assume
jurisdiction and will investigate and adjudicate the case. In cases where a conflict of interest may arise,
complaints against CET will be referred to the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, for
proper disposition pursuant to their procedures.

3. To be accepted, a complaint must meet all the following criteria:

a. The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged occurrence or when the
alleged discrimination became known to the complainant.
b. The allegation(s) must involve a covered basis such as race, color, national origin, or disability.
c. The allegation(s) must involve a program or activity of a Federal-aid recipient, sub- recipient,
or contractor.

4. A complaint may be dismissed for the following reasons:

a. The complaint does not meet criteria for acceptance.
b. The complainant requests the withdrawal of the complaint.
c. The complainant fails to respond to requests for additional information needed to process
the complaint.
d. The complainant cannot be located after reasonable attempts.

5. Once CET has accepted the complaint for investigation, the complainant and the respondent will be
notified in writing of such determination within seven (7) calendar days. The complaint will receive a
case number and will then be logged into CET’s records.

6. In cases where CET assumes the investigation of the complaint, CET will provide the respondent with the
opportunity to respond to the allegation(s) in writing. The respondent will have ten (10) calendar days
from the date of CET written notification of acceptance of the complaint to furnish his/her response to
the allegation(s).

7. CET’s final investigative report and a copy of the complaint will be forwarded to the Federal Transit
Administration, Office of Civil Rights, and affected parties within sixty (60) calendar days of the
acceptance of the complaint.

8. CET will notify the parties in writing of its final decision within sixty (60) calendar days. *

9. Complainants have the right to contact the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, 915
Second Avenue, Suite 3142, Seattle, WA 98174-1002. If a complainant is not satisfied with the results of
the investigation of the alleged discrimination and practices, the complainant can appeal the decision to
the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights.

Your Name:

Preferred Contact Method: PhoneEmailAddress

Your Phone:

Your Email:

Your Address:

Submitting on behalf:

Customer Name:

Preferred Contact Method: PhoneEmailAddress

Customer Phone:

Customer Email:

Customer Address:

Incident Date:

Time:

Which of the following best describes the reason you believe the discrimination took place? Select all that apply:
RaceColorNational OriginDisabilityOther

Other (please specify):

Describe the alleged discrimination. Explain what happened and whom you believe was responsible:

List names and contact information of people who may have knowledge of the alleged discrimination:

Have you filed this complaint with any other federal, state, or local agency, or with a federal or state court? Select all that apply: Federal AgencyState AgencyLocal AgencyFederal CourtState Court

Federal Agency Contact Information
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:

State Agency Contact Information
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:

Local Agency Contact Information
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:

Federal Court Contact Information
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:

State Court Contact Information
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:

Add files: 123

*CET retains all ADA-Related Complaints for 1 year, and a summary of all related complaints and responses for 5 years.