Office of Civil Rights
Title VI Overview and Goals
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. Federal financial assistance includes; grants, training, use of equipment, surplus property, and other assistance. If federal funds are passed from one recipient to a subrecipient, the subrecipient is required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
As a direct recipient and subrecipient of federal financial assistance, the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are applicable to all of the operations of DMRS and to any entity to which division funded financial assistance is extended.
DMRS Title VI Program is responsible for providing leadership, direction and policy to ensure compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and environmental justice principles. DMRS is proud of its policy to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs, activities and services whether those programs, activities and services are federally funded or not.
DMRS has identified the following program goals to ensure equal access and nondiscrimination in its programs, activities, services:
Goal 1: Ensure equality in the delivery of services to DMRS beneficiaries.
Objective 1.1: Increase beneficiaries’ knowledge about individual rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Strategies:
1.1.1 Monitor DMRS consumer satisfaction survey activities.
- Conduct random quarterly on-site monitoring visits to service provider agencies.
1.1.3 Develop and disseminate DMRS nondiscrimination policies and procedures to division and service provider personnel.
Objective 1.2: Improve the delivery of beneficiary services through the use of technology.
Strategies:
1.2.1 Coordinate with DMRS’ Information Technology (IT) Unit to include and update Title VI information and complaint process on the division’s Website.
- Review service recipient data on a monthly basis using DMRS’ Community Service Tracking System.
- Work with IT to update service provider tracking information
Objective 1.3 Strengthen agency compliance with and enforcement of Title VI and other civil rights laws.
Strategies:
- Conduct random on-site monitoring visits to contract agencies.
- Provide timely responses and timely investigations to allegations of discrimination.
1.3.3 Conduct pre and post-award compliance reviews.
Goal 2: Enhance effective implementation of Title VI and other nondiscrimination laws.
Objective 2.1: Increase knowledge and awareness of state and federal statutory non-discriminatory requirements.
Strategies:
- Offer workshops and technical assistance opportunities to contract service providers and DMRS staff on Title VI and other federal nondiscrimination laws.
- Conduct joint regional training sessions with other state agencies responsible for Title VI implementation and compliance (i.e., TennCare, Department of Children Services, Department of Health, Department of Human Services and Department of Education).
Objective 2.2 Strengthen relationships with federal agencies responsible for Title VI compliance.
Strategies:
2.2.1 Title VI Coordinator will attend Title VI and other nondiscrimination training sessions conducted by federal agencies.
2.2.2 Join and actively participate in Southeast Civil Rights Association.
Goal 3: Establish a systematic and ongoing public involvement and awareness process that engages beneficiaries, family members and service providers.
Objective 3.1 Develop procedures to improve outreach to protective beneficiary groups.
Strategies:
3.1.1 Consult with protective beneficiary groups to share information and exchange ideas on improving Title VI compliance.
3.1.2 Attend community meetings and forums.
Goal 4: Expand economic opportunities to all Tennesseans.
Objective 4.1: Increase contract and procurement opportunities for qualified service providers representing protected beneficiary groups.
Strategies:
- Work with program staff to streamline the service provider application process.
- Continue to partner with the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise to identify and expand business opportunities for service providers from protected beneficiary groups.
4.1.3 Contact community agencies and organizations representing protected beneficiary groups (i.e., Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Urban League, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce).
Goal 5: Maximize the number of recipients receiving DMRS services.
Objective 5.1 Reduce barriers to services.
Strategies:
- Translate Title VI information and material into languages and formats accessible to under served populations.
- Produce user-friendly educational and informational materials and make them available to service providers and DMRS staff.
