NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC OF RIGHTS UNDER TITLE VI BRIDGE TO HOPE INC.

NOTICE: Bridge to Hope Inc., adopt the Title VI Program on October 23, 2024.

Bridge to Hope Inc. operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint.

Appeals may be heard in person if requested.

For more information on Bridge to Hope Inc. civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact (352) 387-2210, email: complaints@bridgetohopeinc.org or you may visit our administrative office at:
631 NW 56th Court, Ocala, FL 34482

For any additional information or if information is needed in another language, visit http://www.bridgetohopeinc.org

Reasonable Modification Policy

The Department of Transportation has revised its rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It now specifically provides that transportation agencies are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure that their programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Bridge to Hope Inc. is committed to providing safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible service to its customers. To ensure equality and fairness, Bridge to Hope Inc. will make reasonable modifications to policies and procedures to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to all of its services.

Exceptions would include modifications that:

• Cause a direct threat to the health and/or safety of others;
• Result in a fundamental alteration of the nature of the service are not necessary in order for the individual with a disability to fully utilize Bridge to Hope Inc.’s services.
• Anyone who would like to request a modification of policies or procedures to participate in Bridge to Hope Inc program or service should contact Bridgetohopeinc.org.

Complaint Procedure

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Bridge to Hope Inc may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form (refer to Appendix E). Bridge to Hope Inc investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. Bridge to Hope Inc will process complaints that are complete.

Once the complaint is received, Bridge to Hope Inc will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing him/her whether the complaint will be investigated by our office.

Bridge to Hope Inc has ninety (90) days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, Bridge to Hope Inc may contact the complainant. The complainant has ten (10) business days from the date of the letter to send the requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within ten (10) business days, Bridge to Hope Inc can administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

After the investigator reviews the complaint, he/she will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a 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 LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member or other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, he/she has seven (7) days to do so from the time he/she receives the closure letter or the LOF.