Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Resources
Non-Discrimination and Title VI Policy & Procedures
Non-Discrimination Policy:
CHASCo serves all service recipients without regard to age, race, color, gender, residence, religion, disability, or national origin. This policy is to prevail throughout all programs, services, and activities being provided by CHASCo.Nondiscrimination: CHASCo agrees, warrants, and assures that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of coalition opportunities or in the employment practices of CHASCo on the grounds of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by Federal, Tennessee State, constitutional, or statutory law. CHASCo, under contract to the Department of Mental Health, notifies the public about all available services and about their rights under Title VI. Notification methods may include the displaying of posters at membership meetings and including the information on the CHASCo website. Reviews of any complaints will begin within 10 business days of receipt.
CHASCo staff are responsible for ensuring that all meetings and programs are held in facilities which are accessible to people with disabilities. In addition, all print materials (brochures, registrations, etc.) will include information regarding the availability of auxiliary services and aids.
Accessibility
title vi
Title VI 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, or be subjected to discrimination under any program receiving Federal financial assistance.” 42 U.S.C. §2000d
All CHASCo staff and funded members must read Title VI and adhere to these laws. All staff and funded members have yearly training on Title VI led by the Title VI Coordinator. Member institutions have internal policies and procedures addressing civil rights.
CHASCo, under contract to the Department of Mental Health, will notify the public about all available services and about their rights under Title VI. Notification methods may include the displaying of posters, distribution of brochures and the inclusion of a nondiscrimination statement on agency publications
Compliance:
Consumers with a Title VI complaint should request a complaint form from the Title VI Coordinator or pick up a form at a Coalition meeting. If an individual or group feels that they have been subjected to discrimination by CHASCo, they should file a complaint with the Title VI Coordinator within 180 days of the alleged occurrence or when the alleged discrimination became known to the complainant.
Title vi Coordinator
CHASCo’s Title VI Coordinator will be responsible for educating staff and contractors of their responsibilities under Title VI, informing citizens of their rights under Title VI, monitoring the agency for continued compliance with the Title VI regulation and maintaining and submitting all required documentation for Title VI compliance.
ResponsibilitiesDuties include:
Ensuring all new employees or contractors receive Title VI training within three months of start date;
Conducting annual in-service training for all employees;
Displaying and distributing Title VI posters and brochures;
Conducting internal monitoring activities to ensure staff and/or contractor compliance with Title VI, as recorded on the Title VI Training Compliance Documentation Form;
Receiving and officiating any Title VI Complaints alleged against CHASCo (form - Appendix A);
Completing and submitting annual Title VI self-survey to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health prior to the deadline;
Contacting the Division of Substance Abuse Services to inquire about any delays or problems if the annual Title VI self-survey has not been received by mid-June;
Answering all of the questions on the Title VI self-survey; and
Maintaining a copy of the email with attachment or the post office receipt in the Title VI files.
If an individual or group feels that they have been subjected to discrimination by CHASCo, they should file a complaint with the Title VI Coordinator within 180 days of the alleged occurrence or when the alleged discrimination became known to the complainant. The complaint should be in writing and include the name, address, phone number, and signature of the complainant, and should describe the alleged discriminatory act that violates Title VI in detail. If for some reason, a member does not feel comfortable contacting the CHASCo Director, who serves as the Title VI Coordinator, then they can contact the President directly. Reviews of any complaints will begin within 10 business days of receipt.
Complaints can be mailed to the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities, Title VI Coordinator, 102 Hartman Dr., Suite G #382, Lebanon, TN 37087-2516 or submitted to the Director via the website. Complaints can also be directed to the TICUA President at 555 Marriott Drive, Ste 315, Nashville, TN 37214.
The complainant may ask someone for help with documenting their concern or completing the form. The complainant also has the right to file the complaint with the Tennessee Department of Human Resources, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), or with the Office for Civil Rights in Atlanta, Ga. at any stage of the complaint process.
Once the complaint is received, the Complainant will be informed of the determination regarding jurisdiction, acceptability, and the need for any additional information.
Filing a Complaint:
investigation
The Coordinator will investigate and make every effort to pursue a resolution of the complaint. The Coordinator may also include TICUA in the investigation. Documents will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted. TICUA will utilize best practices as outlined in state and federal guidelines.
Initial interviews with the complainant and the respondent will request information regarding specifically requested relief and settlement opportunities. Investigation findings of the Title VI Coordinator will be reported to TICUA and the CHASCo Executive Committee. Acceptance of findings by TICUA and the CHASCo Executive Committee will be reported to the complainant within 60 days.
Written findings will be submitted to the TICUA President and to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) Title VI Coordinator.
Report of Initial Findings:
The complainant will receive a written response from the Title VI Coordinator, which must include notification of the right to appeal to either the TDMHSAS Title VI Coordinator, or the Office for Civil Rights in Atlanta, GA.
In all cases, TICUA will comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in regard to “whistleblower retaliation.” This law mandates that there will be no instances of retaliation—adverse job actions such as termination, denial of bonus, reduction in salary, transfer to lower position, etc.—against individuals who have registered a complaint.
Retaliation:
It is illegal for CHASCo to refuse to provide program services if a service recipient filed a charge of discrimination with an entity or if they participated in a discrimination proceeding such as an investigation or lawsuit.
All findings will be reported in the Title VI annual survey. Copies of all complaints will be retained for three years.
RESOURCES
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Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
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Tennessee Department of Human Resources
Office of Strategic Support – Legal Compliance Division
Title VI Compliance Program
William Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 17th Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
(615) 741-4841
HR.Support@tn.gov -
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services--Office for Civil Rights--Southeast Region
Southeast Region—Atlanta (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Office for Civil Rights Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 16T70
61 Forsyth Street, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303-8909
Customer Response Center: (800) 368-1019
Fax: (202) 619-3818
TDD: (800) 537-7697
Email: OCRComplaint@hhs.gov
Title VI Training Program:
The CHASCo Director and/or TICUA will ensure all new employees or contractors receive Title VI training within three months of start date. The Director will conduct an annual in-Service training for all employees. The Director will ensure that there is appropriate displaying and distributing of Title VI posters and brochures. The Director will conduct internal monitoring activities to ensure staff and/or contractor compliance with Title VI as recorded on Title VI Training Compliance Documentation Form.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTING FORM
Consumers with a fraud, waste and abuse complaint should call the State Comptroller’s toll free hotline at 1-800-232-5454. A complaint may also be made by submitting a letter. In letter format, please describe the situation and provide contact information.
Citizens and agencies are encouraged to report fraud, waste, or abuse in State and Local government.
NOTICE: This agency is a recipient of taxpayer funding. If you observe an agency director or employee engaging in any activity which you consider to be illegal, improper, or wasteful, please call the state Comptroller's toll-free Hotline:
1-800-232-5454
Notifications can also be submitted electronically at: http://www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline