Notifying the Public of Rights under Title VI
SMTS, Inc. posts Title VI notices on our agency’s website, in public areas of our agency, in our board room, and on our buses and/or paratransit vehicles.
SMTS, Inc. operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by SMTS, Inc., you may file a Title VI complaint by completing, signing, and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form.
For more information about your rights under Title VI, contact SMTS Inc. at 800-273-0646.
How to file a Title VI complaint with SMTS, Inc.:
Please contact our main office at 800-273-0646 if you feel your rights under Title VI have been violated to request a complaint form.
In addition to the complaint process at SMTS, Inc., complaints may be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, Region VI, 901 Locust Street – Room 404 – Kansas City, MO 64106.
Complaints must be filed within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence and should contain as much detailed information about the alleged discrimination as possible.
The form must be signed and dated, and include your contact information.
If additional information is needed, or if you need information in another language, contact: SMTS’s Executive Director @ 800-273-0646.
Procedure for Filing a Title VI Complaint
The complaint procedures apply to the beneficiaries of SMTS’ programs, activities, and services.
RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT: Any person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by SMTS may file a Title VI com-plaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. Title VI complaints must be received in writing within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory complaint.
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT: Information on how to file a Title VI complaint is posted on our agency’s website, and in public areas of our agency.
You may download the SMTS Title VI Complaint Form at www.ridesmts.org, or request a copy by writing to: SMTS, Inc. – P.O. Box 679 – Fredericktown, MO 63645-0679. Information on how to file a Title VI complaint may also be obtained by calling SMTS, Inc. at 800-273-0646.
You may file a signed, dated complaint no more than 180 days from the date of the alleged incident. The complaint should include:
- Your name, address and telephone number.
- Specific, detailed information (how, why and when) about the alleged act of discrimination.
- Any other relevant information, including the names of any persons, if known, the agency should contact for clarity of the allegations.
Please submit your complaint form to [agency contact and full address].
COMPLAINT ACCEPTANCE: SMTS, Inc. will process complaints that are complete. Once a completed Title VI Complaint Form is received, SMTS, Inc. will review it to determine if SMTS, Inc. has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing them whether or not the complaint will be investigated by SMTS, Inc.
INVESTIGATIONS: SMTS, Inc. will generally complete an investigation within 90 days from receipt of a completed complaint form. If more information is needed to resolve the case, SMTS, Inc. may contact the complainant. Unless a longer period is specified by SMTS, Inc., the complainant will have ten (10) days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the SMTS, Inc. investigator assigned to the case.
If the requested information is not received within that timeframe the case will be closed. Also, a case can be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the case.
LETTERS OF CLOSURE OR FINDING: After the Title VI investigator reviews the complaint, the Title VI investigator will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or 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.
- A Letter of Finding (LOF) summarizes the allegations and provides an explanation of the corrective action taken.
If the complainant disagrees with SMTS’ determination, the complainant may request reconsideration by submitting the request in writing to the Title VI investigator within seven (7) days after the date of the letter of closure or letter of finding, stating with specificity the basis for the reconsideration. SMTS will notify the complainant of the decision either to accept or reject the request for reconsideration within ten (10) days. In cases where reconsideration is granted, SMTS will issue a determination letter to the complainant upon completion of the reconsideration review.
A person may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at the FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
If additional information is needed, or if you need information in another language, contact: SMTS’s Executive Director @ 800-273-0646.