Nondiscrimination Policy and Grievance Procedure

Purpose

Ridge to Reefs, Inc. is committed to creating and maintaining a community that is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, failure to accommodate, intimidation, and retaliation for participation in civil rights protected activity. Ridge to Reefs, Inc. prohibits all forms of discrimination and retaliation and is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities for all individuals.

For language assistance or disability accommodation in reviewing this policy, please contact Kelly Harris, kelly@ridgetoreefs.org.

In accordance with federal policy for funding recipients, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. has established an official grievance procedure to ensure prompt and fair resolution of complaints alleging violations of Title VI, Section 601 of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin including language), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibits discrimination based on disability), Title IX of the Educations Amendments of 1975 (prohibits discrimination based on sex in education program or activities) and Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (prohibits discrimination based on age) in the administration of the Ridge to Reefs, Inc.’s programs and activities.

The grievance procedure is intended to address allegations of discrimination, in which the individual(s) feel like they have been excluded from Ridge to Reefs, Inc.’s activities, benefits, services or programs on the basis of:

  • Age

  • Ancestry

  • Color

  • Disability

  • Ethnicity

  • Gender

  • Income

  • Medical condition

  • National origin

  • Pregnancy

  • Sex

  • Sexual orientation

  • Race

  • Religion

The grievance procedure provides a process for filing a timely complaint to the proper authority and describes the process that will be used to investigate and resolve the complaint. However, the procedures do not apply to administrative actions that are being pursued in another forum.

Point of Contact

The Point of Contact for the Ridge to Reefs, Inc. is:

Kelly Harris

Ridge to Reefs, Inc.

6618 Stirrup Ct. Skyesville MD, 21784-5949

Email: kelly@ridgetoreefs.org

Office#: (704) 575-1082

The Point of Contact is the initial point of contact for all grievances. They are responsible for overseeing and guiding the complainant through the grievance process. The Point of Contact manages files and records of complaints pertaining to the Ridge to Reefs, Inc. In addition, they are responsible for coordinating the correct person(s) from the Ridge to Reefs, Inc. to ensure the grievance is addressed efficiently and correctly.

Who Can File a Discrimination Complaint?

Anyone who believes that they or a class of persons have been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Ridge to Reefs, Inc. The person or organization filing the complaint need not be a victim of the alleged discrimination but may complain on behalf of another person or group. A complainant filing on behalf of or pertaining to another person(s) is responsible for securing any necessary written consent from that individual. Complaints shall be in writing and signed by the complainant or the complainant’s representative and shall include contact information for the complainant or their representative.

Submission of a Complaint

A. Filing of Complaint

A person (or the authorized representative of a person) who believes that they or a class of persons has been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Ridge to Reefs, Inc.

The complaint should:

  1. be in writing via email or mail; (please note that complaints via social media or any form other than email or physical mail may not be received by the Point of Contact, and therefore will not be considered a valid form of written complaint

  2. be filed within 60 days of an alleged violation (except as otherwise indicated in the following paragraph);

  3. describe with specificity the action(s) by Ridge to Reefs, Inc. that allegedly result in discrimination in violation of 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7;

  4. describe with as much detail as possible the discrimination that allegedly has occurred or will occur as the result of such action(s); and

  5. identify the parties impacted or potentially impacted by the alleged discrimination.

Ridge to Reefs, Inc. may request additional information from the complainant, if this information is needed to meet the complaint requirements described above. Ridge to Reefs, Inc. may waive requirement two (2) in its discretion, in order to address allegations of potential discrimination caused by pending actions at the earliest appropriate and feasible juncture; or, for good cause, to address complaints filed more than 60 days after an alleged violation.

Person(s) who believe they or a class of persons have been discriminated against and need more information, assistance with or help with submitting a complaint, or an accommodation if you require an alternate means of submission due to disability or any other reason, may call or email the Point of Contact, Kelly Harris (contact information listed above).

Complaints may be submitted by emailing the information to the Point of Contact. Ridge to Reefs, Inc. will also accept complaints mailed to the Point of Contact.

Within 10 business days of receiving a written complaint, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. will provide the complainant with written notice of receipt (please note that this only applies to email or physical mail; messages through social media will not be accepted as formal complaints). At this time, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. may request any additional information needed to meet the complaint requirements above. Within 15 business days of receiving any additional information, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. will create a case file containing all information in relation to the complaint and will provide the complainant with written notice that the complaint is complete.

B. Determination of Jurisdiction and Investigative Merit

Ridge to Reefs, Inc., based on information in the complaint and other information available, will determine if it has jurisdiction to pursue the matter and whether the complaint has sufficient merit to warrant an investigation. A complaint shall be regarded as meriting investigation unless:

a. It clearly appears to be frivolous or trivial;

b. Within the time allotted for making the determination of jurisdiction and investigative merit, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. voluntarily concedes noncompliance and agrees to take appropriate remedial action or reaches an informal resolution with the complainant;

c. Within the time allotted for making the determination of jurisdiction and investigative merit, the complainant withdraws the complaint; or

d. It is not timely and good cause does not exist for waiving the timing requirement under section A.2.

If the Point of Contact determines the complaint submittal warrants further investigation, the Point of Contact shall review the alleged facts to determine the course of the investigation. The investigation may include interviews of Ridge to Reefs, Inc. employees, other relevant witnesses, or others named in the complaint. Relevant Ridge to Reefs, Inc. employees shall make themselves available as necessary.

Disposition of Complaints

Within 120 days of accepting a written complaint, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. will respond in writing to the complainant with resolution including whether discrimination is found and a description of the investigation process. During the investigation, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. will consider all information that is preponderant of the evidence. Ridge to Reefs, Inc. intends to periodically review this grievance procedure on an annual basis to ensure prompt and fair resolution of discrimination complaints. In evaluating the effectiveness of the procedure and the need for additional measures, Ridge to Reefs, Inc. will assess the feedback from agency staff and the public.

Non-Retaliation

Ridge to Reefs, Inc. is committed to fostering an environment where individuals can invoke these grievance procedures without fear of retaliation or reprisal. Ridge to Reefs, Inc. explicitly prohibits retaliation against any individual for any purpose, including for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege guaranteed under any state or federal statutes or regulations because that individual has filed a complaint or has testified, assisted, or participated in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing of any kind or has opposed any practice made unlawful under any state or federal statutes or regulations. Prohibited retaliatory acts include intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any such individual or group. Any concern regarding retaliation should be reported to the Point of Contact and will be handled promptly and fairly pursuant to Ridge to Reefs, Inc.’s Grievance Procedure.