Title VI Compliance

Title VI Implementation Program

The DVRPC Board has approved the Commission's Title VI Implementation Program, which establishes a framework for DVRPC's efforts to ensure compliance with Title VI, as well as with other nondiscrimination mandates.

The program outlines how federal guidance on Title VI is applied in the organization’s operations, which can include projects, programs, policies, communications, and public involvement efforts.

• DVRPC's Title VI Implementation Program

Title VI Complaint Procedure

Purpose

The DVRPC Title VI Complaint Procedure is written to specify the process employed by DVRPC to investigate complaints, while ensuring due process for Complainants and respondents. The process does not preclude DVRPC from attempting to informally resolve complaints. This procedure applies to all external complaints relating to any program or activity administered by DVRPC and/or its subrecipients, consultants, and contractors, filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (including its DBE and Equal Employment Opportunity components), as well as other related laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, age, or national origin. Additional statutes include, but are not limited to, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and the ADA of 1990. These procedures are part of an administrative process that does not provide for remedies that include punitive damages or compensatory remuneration for the Complainant. Intimidation or retaliation of any kind is prohibited by law.

Process

An individual, or his or her representative, who believes that he or she has been subject to discrimination or retaliation prohibited by Title VI and other nondiscrimination provisions including ADA, has a right to file a complaint. Complaints need to be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged occurrence, when the alleged discrimination became known to the Complainant, or when there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which the conduct was discontinued or the latest instance of the conduct.

Complaints shall be in writing and signed by the Complainant or the Complainant's representative. If complaints are received by telephone or in person, the DVRPC Title VI Compliance Manager or other authorized representative shall formally interview the person to provide the basis for the written complaint. If necessary, an authorized person will assist the Complainant in writing the complaint. The complaint form can be made available in alternative languages or formats, if requested. Please call 215-592-1800 for more information.

Generally, the written complaint includes the following information:

• name, address, telephone number, and e-mail of the Complainant;
• basis of the complaint, (e.g. race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, retaliation);
• a detailed description of the circumstances of the incident that led the Complainant to believe discrimination occurred;
• name(s), title(s), and address(es) of the person(s) who discriminated against the Complainant;
• names, addresses, and phone numbers of people who may have knowledge of the alleged incident or are perceived as parties in the complained-of incident;
• date or dates on which the alleged discrimination occurred; and
• agencies where the complaint was filed.

As an investigation moves forward, additional information may be required. Although this process does not preclude DVRPC from attempting to informally resolve complaints, the decision to resolve informally always rests with the complainant, who may withdraw from the informal process at any time.

If a complaint is filed against DVRPC, the Commission will acknowledge receipt of the complaint by notifying the Complainant and immediately transmitting the complaint to the proper state and federal agency (e.g. Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, New Jersey Department of Transportation) for investigation and disposition pursuant to that agency's Title VI complaint procedure. Complaints against DVRPC may also be sent directly to a federal agency. If a complaint is filed with an agency that does not have jurisdiction over the particular reason for discrimination, the complaint will be forwarded to an agency that does.

Complaints against DVRPC subrecipients, consultants, and contractors will be investigated directly by the Commission as follows:

• Within 10 days, the DVRPC ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer will acknowledge receipt of the complaint to the Complainant, and notify the appropriate state and/or federal agency that a Title VI complaint has been received by the Commission;
• Within 60 days, the DVRPC ADA and Title VI Compliance will conduct and complete an investigation and, based on the information obtained, will render a recommendation for action in a report of findings to the DVRPC Executive Director. This report will include the nature of the complaint, remedy sought, and a summary of the investigative findings and activities. The complaint should be resolved by informal means whenever possible. Such informal attempts and their results will be summarized in the report findings;
• Within 90 days of receipt of the complaint, the DVRPC ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer will notify the complainant in writing of the final decision reached, including the proposed disposition of the matter. The notification will advise the complainant of his/her appeal rights with state and federal agencies, if they are dissatisfied with the final decision rendered by DVRPC.

The DVRPC ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer will maintain a log of all Title VI, ADA and all other discrimination complaints received by the Commission.

The Title VI Complaint form may be submitted directly to the following agencies:

U.S. Department of Transportation

Civil Rights Specialist
Federal Highway Administration
New Jersey Division
840 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 202
West Trenton, NJ 08628
609-637-4200

New Jersey Department of Transportation

Title VI Manager
Division of Civil Rights/Affirmative Action
P.O. Box 600
1035 Parkway Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08625-0600
609-530-2336

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Title VI Manager
Bureau of Equal Opportunity
DBE / Title VI Division
PO Box 3251
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3251
717-783-0301

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Pennsylvania Division

Civil Rights Specialist
228 Walnut Street, Room 508
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1720
717-221-3461

Federal Transit Administration

Title VI Program Coordinator
Office of Civil Rights
East Building, 5th Floor - TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4043

Federal Transit Administration - Region 3

Title VI Coordinator
1760 Market Street, Suite 500
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4124
215-656-7100

Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights

Title VI Program Coordinator
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
8th Floor E81-314
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-0693

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Phone: 202-514-3847
Phone (TDD): 202-514-0716

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

Shoshana Akins 
ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer 
190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Fl.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-592-1800

• Title VI Complaint Form [0.1 MB pdf]
• Título VI Formulario de queja [0.1 MB pdf]
• 权利六投诉表 [0.1 MB pdf]

Language Access

In September 2025, the DVRPC Board re-adopted its Language Access Plan upholding the principles and intentions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and related nondiscrimination mandates. Language barriers may prohibit people who speak English less than very well (as characterized by the US Census Bureau). Visit this webmap to view the region's LEP poopulation. DVRPC will translate its vital documents, as identified in the plan, into Spanish. Other materials may be available for translation in another language or format. A request may be submitted through a form located on every product’s abstract page. Interpretation may be available at DVRPC’s meetings if requested seven days ahead. A request may be submitted during the event registration process.