Okaloosa County BOCC — May 5, 2015 — Okaloosa County BCC Title VI/Nondiscrimination Policy DRAFT

DRAFT Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Title VI/Nondiscrimination Policy Policy Statement It is the policy of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Section 324 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973; Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987; and related statutes and regulations, that no person shall on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, income or family status, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination or retaliation under any federally or non-federally funded program, service or activity administered by the County or its sub-recipients. Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has established the Title VI/ Nondiscrimination Coordinator as: Rick Owen, Administrative Manager Okaloosa County BCC 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 400 Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547 E-mail: rowen@co.okaloosa.fl.us Phone: 850-651-7515 Title VI Complaint Procedure The purpose of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Title VI policy is to establish and implement procedures that comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as well as other related federal and state statutes and regulations. The County does not tolerate discrimination in any of its programs, services or activities; and will not exclude participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination anyone on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, income or family status. The County values diversity and both welcomes and actively seeks input from all interested parties. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, income or family status by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners may file a discrimination complaint by completing and submitting the County’s Title VI/Nondiscrimination complaint form. See below for filing instructions: Page 1 of 5 _______ Initials  DRAFT 1. All complaints shall be submitted in a written format and contain the identity of the complainant as well as the basis for the allegations (i.e., race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, income or family status). If the complaint cannot be submitted in writing, the complainant should contact the Risk Manager. See ADA/504 section for contact information. Submissions must also include: Name, address and contact number of the person making the complaint; Names, addresses and contact numbers of witnesses; A narrative or statement describing the alleged violation of Title VI, including date and time of the alleged violation and County program, service or activity where the alleged violation occurred; and Any other documentation that may provide additional explanation or identification of the alleged violation. 2. All complaints shall be filed no later than (180) calendar days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Complaints should be filed with the Risk Manager. See ADA/504 section for contact information. 3. No more than forty-five (45) calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the Risk Manager will address the alleged discrimination with the complainant and discuss a possible resolution. Please note that in responding to any requests for additional information, a complai