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Filing a Title VI Complaint

The California Department of Transportation, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensures “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 of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Related federal statutes and state law further discrimination protections to include sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and age.

Any person who believes they have been discriminated against based on race, color, or national origin (including Limited English Proficiency (LEP)), by Caltrans or a local public agency (LPA) receiving federal funds through Caltrans, may file a Title VI complaint with one of the following options:

  1. Caltrans Office of Civil Rights Title VI Branch (Title VI complaints against Caltrans or an LPA)
  2. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (Title VI complaints against Caltrans or an LPA receiving FHWA funds)

  3. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) (Title VI complaints against Caltrans or an LPA receiving FTA funds)

    Note: FTA encourages individuals to first file a complaint directly with their transit provider to give the transit provider an opportunity to resolve the situation. FTA recipients are required under the ADA, Title VI, and EEO to have local complaint procedures.

  4. Directly with the Local Public Agency (LPA) – Contact the LPA for their Title VI complaint process

Note for LPAs: Per the FHWA Guidance Memorandum, Processing of Title VI Complaints, dated June 13, 2018, all Title VI complaints received by a sub-recipient [LPA] are to be forwarded to Caltrans to be submitted to FHWA Division Office. Complaints should be sent within one business day of receipt via email to Title.VI@dot.ca.gov. If Headquarters Office of Civil Rights (HCR) determines a Title VI complaint against a sub-recipient [LPA] can be investigated by Caltrans, HCR may delegate the task of investigating the complaint to Caltrans.

 

For discrimination complaints based on sex and age, these complaints are to be processed using the same
procedures above for Title VI (except for option 3). Local Public Agencies receiving FHWA funds must log
complaints, including Title VI complaints (based on race, color, or national origin (including Limited English
Proficiency)), and forward them to Caltrans via email to title.vi@dot.ca.gov. Caltrans will determine
whether it has jurisdiction to process the complaints and forward them to FHWA for investigation as
required. 

For information or guidance on how to file a complaint, or obtain more information regarding Title VI, please contact the Local Title VI Coordinator Loi Tran.

Title VI

Contacts

Any local agency questions or comments related to Title VI may be sent to the contact information below:

Loi Tran

Local Title VI Coordinator

Office of Local Civil Compliance
Caltrans Division of Local Assistance
Email: loi.tran@dot.ca.gov

Complaint Forms

TITLE VI AND OTHER DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT FORM

FORMULARIO DE QUEJAS DE DISCRIMINACIÓN DEL TÍTULO VI Y OTRAS