FORT BEND COUNTY TITLE VI / NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Fort Bend County is committed to ensuring that no person on the basis of race, color, national origin (limited English proficiency), sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or any other group of people protected under Federal or State nondiscrimination statutes, laws, regulations, or other requirements, shall be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination or retaliation in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance that is administered by Fort Bend County, its subrecipients, and/or its contractors. 

Title VI / Nondiscrimination Statement

FILING A TITLE VI DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT
Any person or organization believing they have been a victim of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin (limited English proficiency) may file a complaint with the agency in question or with the Fort Bend County Civil Rights Officer.

To submit a complaint please complete the “Title VI Discrimination Complaint” form.  Complaint forms can be obtained at the Fort Bend County Risk Management office located at the address below or via the link below.  Please send your complaint to:

Civil Rights Officer
Fort Bend County | Risk Management
301 Jackson Street, Suite 224
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone:  281-238-3267
Email:    TitleVI@fbctx.gov
Fax:     281-341-3751

Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form 

Complaints shall state, as fully as possible, the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination. 

For more information about Fort Bend County Public Transportation-related discrimination complaints under Title VI in which the County or its subrecipients are named as the respondent with Fort Bend County, please visit the Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department webpage.

Complainant Assistance
The County shall also provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including those persons with disabilities, or who may be limited in their ability to communicate in English.  In cases where the complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, a verbal complaint may be made. The Civil Rights Officer will interview the complainant and if necessary assist the person in converting the verbal complaint to writing. All complaints must, however, be signed by the complainant or his/her representative. 

Procedure
These procedures do not deny the right of the complainant to file formal complaints with other state or federal agencies or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination.

The complainant may file a signed, written complaint up to 180 calendar days from the date of the alleged act of discrimination or the date the person(s) became aware of the alleged act(s) of discrimination. 

The purpose of the Title VI Discrimination Complaint form is to assist you in filing a complaint. You are encouraged, but not required, to use the form to file your complaint. If you choose to write a letter, it must contain all of the information requested in the form and be signed by you or your authorized representative.

Process
The County shall make every effort to address all complaints in an expeditious and thorough manner.  

The County will begin an investigation within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of a complaint alleging discrimination based on the protected classes of the County’s Nondiscrimination Statement for a service or benefit provided by the County.

The complainant will be contacted in writing no later than thirty (30) working days after receipt of the complaint should additional information be needed. If the complainant fails to provide the requested information in a timely basis, the County may administratively close the complaint.

Should an investigation be warranted, the County will complete the investigation within ninety (90) calendar days of receipt of a complaint. If additional time is needed, the complainant will be notified. A written investigation report will be prepared and shall include a summary description of the incident, findings and recommended corrective action.  If required, the investigation report will be forwarded to the appropriate state or federal agency.

A final written response letter will be provided to the complainant, the respondent, and/or the respondent department. In the letter notifying complainant that the complaint is not substantiated, the complainant will be advised of his/her right to appeal with the County within five (5) working days from receipt of the closing letter or that they may file a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights, or appropriate federal agency.  If there is no appeal or no findings, the complaint will be closed.

The County maintains all complaint records that outline the complaint identifiers as specified by federal regulation.