Title VI / Nondiscrimination Policy and Complaint Process

The City of Deerfield Beach values diversity and welcomes and actively seeks input from all interested parties, regardless of cultural identity, background, or income level. Moreover, the City does not tolerate discrimination in any of its programs, services, or activities.

In accordance 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 City will not exclude participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination anyone on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The City will actively work to ensure the inclusion of everyone in our community so that our programs, services, and activities represent the diversity we enjoy.

Title VI Coordinator

The City of Deerfield Beach has established a Title VI Coordinator to investigate and seek to resolve any complaints regarding participation in, the benefit of, or discrimination or retaliation under any of the City or its sub-recipient's programs.  Also, anyone who requires special language services should contact the City’s Interim Title VI Coordinator.

Jonathan Salas
Interim Title VI Coordinator
City of Deerfield Beach

Community Services Department
227 NW 2nd Street
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
Phone: (954) 480-4464
Email Jonathan Salas

TITLE VI GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income, or family status, in any of the City of Deerfield Beach programs, services, or activities may file a Title VI complaint with the City's Title VI Coordinator. 

To obtain a Title VI Complaint form, contact the City's Title VI Coordinator. Complaints can also be submitted by phone or email. 

  1. All complaints shall include: 
    1. Name, address, and contact number of the person making the complaint
    2. Names, addresses, and contact numbers of witnesses
    3. A narrative or statement describing the alleged violation of Title VI, including the date and time of the alleged violation and the City program or facility where the alleged violation occurred
    4. Any other documentation that may provide any additional explanation or identification of the alleged violation 

      *Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a recording of the complaint will be made available for persons upon request. 
  2. All complaints shall be filed no later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. 
  3. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the Title VI Coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolution. 
  4. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the meeting, the Title VI Coordinator will complete an investigation of the allegations and respond in writing to the person who filed the complaint. The response will explain the position of the City and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint. 
  5. The person who filed the complaint may appeal the written response if it does not satisfactorily resolve the issue. Appeals must be submitted in writing, within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of a written response to the City Manager. 

The complaint should be submitted to the Title VI Coordinator listed above. However, should the complainant be unable or unwilling to complain to the Agency, the written complaint may be submitted directly to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). FDOT serves as a statewide clearinghouse for Title VI purposes and will either assume jurisdiction over the complaint or forward it to the appropriate federal or state authority for continued processing: 

Florida Department of Transportation 
Equal Opportunity Office 
ATTN: Title VI Complaint Processing 
605 Suwannee Street MS 65 
Tallahassee, FL 32399 

Retaliation

Retaliation is prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and related federal and state nondiscrimination authorities. It is the policy of the City that persons filing a grievance of discrimination should have the right to do so without interference, intimidation, coercion, or fear of reprisal. Anyone who feels they have been subjected to retaliation should report such an incident to the Title VI Program Coordinator.


ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)/504 Statement

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and related federal and state laws and regulations forbid discrimination against those who have disabilities. Furthermore, these laws require federal aid recipients and other government entities to take affirmative steps to reasonably accommodate the disabled and ensure that their needs are equitably represented in the transportation planning process.

The City of Deerfield Beach will make every effort to ensure that its facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to those with disabilities. The City will make every effort to ensure that its advisory committees and public involvement activities include representation by the disabled community and disability service groups.

The City encourages the public to report any facility, program, service, or activity that appears inaccessible to the disabled. Furthermore, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to disabled individuals who wish to participate in public involvement events or who require special assistance to access City facilities, programs, services, or activities.

Learn about the City's compliance with ADA.

See ADA Grievance Procedure for more information about the grievance process.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

The City of Deerfield Beach is committed to making its services, programs and activities available to everyone, regardless of language barriers. As residents, workers or visitors who contribute to the quality of life in the city, LEP individuals are entitled to meaningful access to city services. As a recipient of federal funds, the city is required by federal law to plan for and provide LEP individuals with meaningful access to city services, programs and activities. Executive Order 13166, titled Improving Access to Services for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency indicates that differing treatment based upon an individual's inability to speak, read, write or understand English is a type of national origin discrimination. It directs federal agencies to publish guidance for its respective recipients clarifying their obligation to ensure that such discrimination does not take place. This Executive Order applies to all state and local agencies that receive federal funds, including all city service areas receiving federal funds.

Data Collection:

FHWA regulations require federal-aid recipients to collect racial, ethnic and other similar demographic data on beneficiaries of or those affected by City of Deerfield Beach programs, services and activities. The City accomplishes this through the use of census data, American Community Survey reports, Environmental Screening Tools (EST), surveys, and other methods. From time to time, the City may find it necessary to request voluntary identification of certain racial, ethnic or other data from those who participate in its public involvement events. This information assists the City with improving its targeted outreach and measures of effectiveness. Self-identification of personal data to the City will always be voluntary and anonymous. Moreover, the City will not release or otherwise use this data in any manner inconsistent with the federal regulations.

Assurances

The City of Deerfield Beach must certify to FHWA and FDOT that its programs, services, and activities are being conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner every three years, or commensurate with a change in the City's executive leadership. The certifications are termed ‘assurances’ and serve two important purposes. They document the City’s commitment to nondiscrimination and equitable service to its community; and, serve as a legally enforceable agreement by which the City of Deerfield Beach may be held liable for the breach. Learn more about Title VI / Nondiscrimination Assurance.