The Kennedy Collective | Title VI Compliance

Your Rights as Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) is a Federal law that protects persons from discrimination based on their race, color or national origin in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. For example, if you are eligible for Medicaid or other health or human services provided by agencies or organizations that receive Federal government funding, those entities cannot deny you access to their programs or activities because of your race, color, or national origin.

PROTECTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: PUBLIC WAITING AREAS, PASSENGER HOLDING AREAS, SERVICE, QUALITY OF SERVICE, ROUTING, SCHEDULING, SNACK BARS, GIFT SHOPS, TICKET COUNTERS, BAGGAGE HANDLERS, CAR RENTAL AGENCIES, TAXIS, RESTAURANT FACILITIES, REST ROOMS, PASSENGER GROUND TRANSPORTATION.

Any person who believes that he of she, has been subjected to Discrimination prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, may file a complaint.

Complaints can be filed with any of the following:

The Kennedy Collective
Valerie Reyher
VP, Workforce Development & Social Enterprises
Designated Title VI Coordinator
2440 Reservoir Ave.
Trumbull, CT 06611
[email protected]

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

If you need this information in another language, please contact 203-365-8522 x 2011

Click here to download our Title VI Notice to Beneficiaries in English or Spanish.

Title VI Policy Statement

The Kennedy Collective is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participating, denied benefits, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity, on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

The Kennedy Collective as a recipient of federal financial assistance will ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended and related statutes and regulations in all of The Kennedy Collective programs and activities.

Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or retaliation based on their race, color or national origin may file a Title VI complaint. Complaints may be filed directly to The Kennedy Collective or to the Federal Funding Agency. Complaints must be in writing and signed by the complainant or a representative and should include the complainant’s name, address, and telephone number or other means by which the complainant can be contacted. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. The form to file a Title VI complaint is located here.

To request additional information on The Kennedy Collective’s non-discrimination obligations or to file a Title VI complaint, please submit your request or complaint in writing to:

Valerie Reyher
VP, Workforce Development & Social Enterprises
Designated Title VI Coordinator
The Kennedy Collective
2440 Reservoir Avenue
Trumbull, CT 06611
Confidential Fax: 203-664-5289
Email: [email protected]

Complaints may also be filed with:

Division of Contract Compliance
Connecticut Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06111

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue
SW. H.H.H. Building, Room 509-F
Washington, D.C. 20201
[email protected]

Click here to download our Title VI Policy Statement.

Title VI Complaint Process & Procedure

All Title VI complaints will be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in this Title VI Complaint Process & Procedure document.

I. Complaint Process

A. Any person alleging to be grieved by a discriminatory practice may in person, or through legal representation, obtain a Title VI Complaint Reporting Form from The Kennedy Collective website or by contacting the agency’s Title VI coordinator:

Valerie Reyher
VP, Workforce Development & Social Enterprises
Designated Title VI Coordinator
The Kennedy Collective
2440 Reservoir Avenue
Trumbull, CT 06611
203-365-8522 ext. 2059
Confidential Fax: 203-664-5289
Email: [email protected]

B. Any Title VI complaint must be filed within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory action; or the date the Complainant became aware of the alleged discriminatory action.

C. Fill out the form and file the complaint with The Kennedy Collective’s Title VI Coordinator. Alternatively, the Title VI Coordinator may complete the complaint report forms and attach the complaints letter. Complaints received orally or by telephone will be converted to writing and provided to the Complainant for confirmation, revision, and signature before processing. Signed allegation of discrimination received by facsimile or email will be acknowledged and processed.

D. Complaints must be in writing, signed by the Complainant or their legal representative, and include the Complainants name, address, and telephone number. Complaints shall explain fully as possible the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discriminatory action and identify the individual (s) responsible for the alleged discriminatory action. Electronic Signatures will be accepted as a means of formal signature.

E. The Title VI Coordinator will review the complaint to ensure that it is the appropriate Title VI jurisdiction. If the complaint does not fall with the parameters of Title VI, then The Kennedy Collective Complaint Process and Procedure Page 2 of 3 the Title VI Coordinator will redirect the complaint through The Kennedy Collective’s Formal Complaint and Appeal Procedure.

F. If the Complaint conforms to Title VI standards, the Title VI Coordinator will ensure that the required information is provided, and that the complaint is timely and within the appropriate jurisdiction. The complaint will be accepted unless: it is withdrawn, is not filed timely, or the complainant fails to provide the required information after a written follow-up request for the missing information. Complainants have 15 business days from requested time to submit any requested information.

G. Once a Title VI complaint has been confirmed, The Title VI Coordinator will notify CTDOT of any Title VI complaints received within 10 business days of receipt.

H. The Kennedy Collective has up to 120 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, The Kennedy Collective may contact the complainant. The complainant has 15 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 20 business days, The Kennedy Collective can administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

I. Upon completion of the investigation the Title VI Coordinator will present the results and any corrective recommendations of the investigation to The Kennedy Collective President/CEO for approval.

J. Upon the final approval of the President/CEO, the Title VI Coordinator will: implement any corrective actions that have been identified, log the investigation on the Title VI Log, and maintain all of the complaint and investigation forms for the Department of Transportation Annual Report Survey.

K. Within 10 days of the President/CEO approval, the Title VI Coordinator will respond in writing to the Complainant with the finding of the investigation. The investigator will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or any other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.

II. Title VI Investigation Process

A. Investigation - An investigation is an official inquiry for the purpose of determining whether there has been a violation of the laws or statutes and includes a determination of appropriate relief where a violation has been found. And investigation requires an objective gathering and analysis of the evidence, which will ensure that the final decision is as accurate as possible.

B. Role of the Investigator - The investigator is a neutral party provided by the agency to conduct an investigation of the issues raised in a complaint. The investigator’s behavior, demeanor, and attitude reflect the agency and may affect the degree of cooperation received from the parties. The investigator has and obligation to identify and obtain relevant evidence from all available sources in order to resolve all of the issues under investigation. The investigator is not an advocate for the complainant or the respondent. The investigator is a neutral fact finder.

C. Responsibilities of the Investigator - The investigator must:

Never express his/her opinion
Never tell the parties that the complaint represents a good case or that the complaint is frivolous
Always remain neutral. DO NOT TAKE SIDES
Write the facts. State what the facts are based upon the evidence of testimony
Stay in control at all levels of the process
Decide who is to be interviewed. If the Complainant or the respondent is adamant about a witness interview, perform the interview
Decide when sufficient evidence has been gathered to begin writing the investigative

Title VI Complaint Form Access

Click here to download the form to file a Title VI complaint.