CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM - Connecticut

1 TITLE VI PROGRAM Connecticut Department of Transportation ( CTDOT ) Submitted: March 31, 2014 1 CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM 1 TITLE VI PROGRAM Submitted: 3/31/14 Revised: 3/31/14 Prepared by: Connecticut Department of Transportation 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06111 CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM TITLE VI PROGRAM 2 Contents 1. General Requirements and Guidelines .. 4 2. Commissioner s Approval of TITLE VI PROGRAM .. 3 3. Introduction .. 4 4. TITLE VI Assurances .. 5 5. Notifying Beneficiaries of Protection Under TITLE VI .. 7 6. TITLE VI Complaint Procedures and Form .. 13 7. Record and Report Transit Related TITLE VI Investigations, Complaints & Lawsuits.

2 19 8. Goals and Principles for Inclusive Public Participation .. 21 Statewide Planning Process - Identifying Needs of Minority 45 10. Providing Assistance to Sub-recipients .. 58 11. Monitoring Sub-recipients .. 59 12. Collect and Report Demographic Data .. 63 13. Providing Meaningful Access to LEP Persons .. 66 Four Factor Analysis .. 69 Language Assistance Plan .. 89 14. Minority Representation on Planning and Advisory Bodies .. 97 15. Determination of Site or Location of Facilities .. 97 16. Requirements and Guidelines for Fixed Route Transit .. 99 17. Bus System-Wide Service Standards and Policies .. 99 18. Monitor Transit Service - Bus .. 143 19. Rail System-Wide Service Standards and Policies.

3 184 20. Monitor Transit Service Rail .. 190 21. Evaluate Service and Fare Changes .. 192 Rail Major Service and Fare Change Analysis Policy .. 196 TITLE VI Fare and Equity Analysis .. 198 21. Requirements of States .. 199 Demographic Maps Distribution of State/Federal Funds .. 199 Providing Assistance to Sub-Recipients applying for funding .. 200 3 CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM 3 Connecticut Department of Transportation- TITLE VI PROGRAM 4 General Requirements and Guidelines Introduction The information contained in this report is the Connecticut Department of Transportation s (Department) TITLE VI PROGRAM for the period of January 1, 2011 December 31, 2013.

4 The Department is scheduled to submit its next PROGRAM by April 1, 2014. The TITLE VI Plan has been prepared in compliance with requirements set forth in Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular of October 1, 2012, TITLE VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients. This PROGRAM was adopted in March 25, 2014 with the approval of Commissioner James P. Redeker, as evidenced in the TITLE VI Policy Statement included in this document. The Department will effectuate and ensure full compliance with the provisions of TITLE VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (referred to as TITLE VI), 49 CFR Part 21, and 23 CFR Part 200, and related statutes and regulations in all Department programs and activities.

5 The document was developed by the CTDOT TITLE VI Workgroup. The group s membership consists of agency personnel from Public Transportation, Policy and Planning, Finance and Administration, the Department s TITLE VI Coordinator, and the Department s Associate TITLE VI Coordinator. 5 CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM 5 TITLE VI Assurances 6 7 CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM 7 Notifying Beneficiaries of Protection under TITLE VI The Department operates its programs and activities without regard to race, color and national origin. The Department provides notification to beneficiaries of their rights under TITLE VI and the procedures to follow when filing a TITLE VI complaint. The Department disseminates this information on the Department s website, and through postings in public waiting areas, buses and rail stations; and other areas that are easily accessible to the public.

6 This information is also made available at public meetings and hearings. The TITLE VI Policy, Brochure, and Complaint Form documents have been translated into Spanish and posted on the website. To access the TITLE VI information on the Department s website, click on the link TITLE VI and External Civil Rights programs . The Department s TITLE VI webpage includes the following documents: Connecticut Department of Transportation TITLE VI Policy Statement This policy states that the Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in its programs , benefits and activities. information identifying who has been delegated the responsibility for the implementing and monitoring the Department s TITLE VI PROGRAM is also provided in the Policy Statement.

7 This document is signed by the Commissioner. This document is posted on the Department s website; distributed at public meetings and hearings. This document is also posted on CTDOT bulletin boards. The Department will periodically check to insure that postings are current and still intact. Notifying Beneficiaries of Protection Under TITLE VI This document states the Department s commitment and responsibility to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in its programs , activities, services and benefits under TITLE VI. The document also provides information on how to request additional about the Department s obligations under TITLE VI and how to file a discrimination complaint.

8 This document is posted on the CTDOT website. TITLE VI Brochure The Brochure provides an overview of TITLE VI and the Department s responsibilities under TITLE VI. The brochure also spells out the protections under TITLE VI and describes how to file a discrimination complaint. The document is posted on the CTDOT website and is distributed at meetings, hearings, and outreach events. 8 The TITLE VI Discrimination Complaint Form A complaint form has been developed to assist beneficiaries when filing TITLE VI complaints. This document is online. Your Rights Under TITLE VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 This posting states the Department s commitment to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in its programs , activities, services, and benefits.

9 The posting also includes information on where find more information about TITLE VI and where to file discrimination complaints. This posting is posted in areas easily accessible and visible to the public; rail stations, platforms, buses and public waiting areas. The department will periodically check sites to insure that the posters are current and intact. Other The Department also posts notices in both English and Spanish on Transit Buses. 9 CTDOT TITLE VI PROGRAM 9 TITLE VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, TITLE VI provides 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.

10 " (42 Section 2000d). Notice to the Public In order to ensure that the public is aware of CTDOT s commitment to TITLE VI Compliance, CTDOT maintains copies of the Public Notices in the following areas: CTDOT Bulletin Boards Rail stations Bus stations Public Meetings/Hearings CTDOT Website CBO Mailing List Paid Advertisements Radio Announcements Transit Vehicles Your Rights Under TITLE VI Who may file a TITLE VI complaint? A complaint may be filed by any individual or group that believes that they have been subjected to discrimination or retaliation based on their race color or national origin. The complaint may be filed by the affected party or a representative and must be reduced to writing.