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 shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination. Requests to review any complaints by coalition members, funders, or other organizations will be accommodated within 10 business days.
CHASCo staff are responsible for insuring 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. §2000 (d).
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 lead 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 from at a Coalition meeting. Consumers who want to contest findings of complaint should submit their request to the Chair of the Executive Committee, who will call a meeting of the ExComm to investigate the findings in compliance with Title VI requirements.
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 Title VI Training Compliance
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.
If annual Title VI self-survey has not been received from the Division of Substance Abuse Services by mid-June, the Coordinator will contact the Division to inquire about the delay or problem.
Once the self-survey has been received, the Title VI Coordinator will answer all of the questions.
The Coordinator will return the Title VI Self Survey before the deadline.
The Title VI Coordinator will report to the Executive Committee when the complete report was submitted.
A copy of the email with attachment or the post office receipt will be kept in Title VI files.
A spreadsheet will track annual reporting requirements, to include:
The date the self-survey was received
The date the request for survey was made if applicable
The date the survey was returned.
If an individual or group feels that he or she has been subjected to discrimination by CHASCo, he or she should file a complaint with the Title VI Coordinator within 45 calendar days of the event. The complaint should 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 TICUA Vice-President or President directly. Requests to review any complaints by coalition members, funders, or other organizations will be accommodated within 10 business days. Complaints can be mailed to Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities, Title VI Coordinator, 102 Hartman Drive, Suite G #382 Lebanon, TN 37087-2516.
Filing a Complaint:
The complainant may ask someone for help with documenting his or her concern or completing the form. The complainant also has the right to file the complaint with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) or with the Civil Rights in Atlanta, GA at any stage of the complaint process.
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 45 days.
Written findings will be submitted to the CEO 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. Assistance in filing appeals will be provided to the complainant if they seek it. If the complainant chooses to appeal the original decision, an appeal form is completed and sent to the appropriate Departmental Title VI Coordinator at the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC).
Hearings and Appeal Process:
If a hearing is deemed necessary, TICUA will convene representatives from CHASCo’s membership as well as members of TICUA’s Board of Directors, to serve as the hearing board. The complainant will receive a written response from the TICUA President, 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. Assistance in filing appeals will be provided to the complainant if they seek it. If the complainant chooses to appeal the original decision, an appeal form is completed and sent to the appropriate Departmental Title VI Coordinator at the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC). If the complainant is not satisfied with the Department's resolve, they can appeal at the Federal level at the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
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 Human Rights Commission
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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: ocrmail@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 assure 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.
GRANT COMPLIANCE VIDEOS
CHASCo Invoicing & Title VI Overview:
2023-2024 Grant Guidelines
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The password is E*57ea+$
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