About Rockdale

 As a recipient of federal and state funds, including, but not limited to, grant dollars from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Rockdale County (the “County”) is subject to coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 and other federal non-discrimination statutes and regulations.

 The purpose of this statement is to define the policies and procedures by which the County administers and enforces its non-discrimination activities and ensures compliance with federal non-discrimination requirements.

Rockdale County’s Non-Discrimination Policy

Public notice of Rockdale County’s Non-Discrimination Policy (“Notice”) shall be prominently posted in all County facilities and on the County’s website homepage. The County will ensure its Notice is accessible to individuals with limited-English proficiency (LEP) and individuals with disabilities, including ensuring that the Notice, as posted on its website homepage is accessible to persons who are visually impaired. Notice will be posted in the County’s general publications distributed to the public and as set forth below:

Rockdale County Government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, sex, or age in the administration of its programs, services, and activities. Rockdale County does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in or oppose actions protected/prohibited by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.

The Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 (Non-Discrimination in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency), including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (hereinafter referred to collectively as the federal non-discrimination laws).

If you have any questions about this notice or any of the County’s non- discrimination programs, policies, or procedures, you may contact:

Keisha Green
Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator
958 Milstead Ave.
Conyers, GA 30012
(770) 278-7571

E-mail: titlevi@rockdalecountyga.gov

If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a County program or activity, you may contact the Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator identified above or visit the County’s website at www.rockdalecountyga.gov to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

TITLE VI GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Any person(s) may file a grievance with Rockdale County alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or retaliation in its operation of programs or activities by submitting a complaint online at www.rockdalecountyga.gov or by completing a grievance form in the Rockdale County Human Resources Office, 958 Milstead Ave., Conyers, GA 30012.

Upon receipt of a Complaint, the Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator (or their designee) will acknowledge receipt of the Complaint within five (5) business days. The County shall promptly and fairly resolve complaints that allege violations of federal non-discrimination laws.

Upon conclusion of an inquiry or investigation, the Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator will promptly send a final written determination about the outcome of the investigation and a description of the investigation process to the Complainant, based upon a preponderance of the evidence standard of review. A preponderance of the evidence standard is a consideration of whether the allegations more likely than not support a finding that the County has violated an anti-discrimination rule or regulation. A Complainant may appeal the decision of the County’s Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator by writing to the County’s Board of Commissioners (“BOC”) Chairperson at info@rockdalecountyga.gov within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the decision. The County’s BOC Chairperson shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than sixty (60) calendar days after its filing.

Prohibition Against Retaliation

County employees shall not retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against an individual or group for the purposes of interfering with any right or privilege granted pursuant to Non-Discrimination, or because an individual has filed a complaint or has testified, assisted, or participated in any way in an investigation under the Policy, nor will the County tolerate such actions. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and must be reported to the Employee Relations Manager/Title VI Coordinator immediately. Any claims of retaliation or intimidation will be addressed promptly and fairly.

Additional Grievance Options

The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from pursuing other legal or administrative remedies, including filing a complaint of discrimination in court or with applicable local, state, or federal agencies. A Complainant may file a Title VI complaint regarding any recipient of federal financial assistance alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or retaliation, through the following federal agencies:

*A written complaint need not be written in English. The County will take necessary steps to ensure that persons who have limited English proficiency as well as individuals with disabilities can meaningfully participate in this Policy.