Public Transit Title VI Program
Meigs County Public Transit's commitment to nondiscrimination and meaningful access for all riders, including those with limited English proficiency.
About this program
This is an accessible version of the Meigs County Public Transit (MCPT) Title VI Program (adopted February 23, 2023; revised February 8, 2024). Theresa Lavender, Director. The full content is retained below.
Title VI policy statement
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d).
Meigs County Public Transit, operating as a demand-response transit provider and a recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant dollars — either directly from FTA or through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) — complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, U.S. DOT implementing regulations, FTA Circular 4702.1B, and ODOT public transportation requirements. MCPT operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin.
MCPT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI.
Notice to the public — your rights under Title VI
Notifying the public of rights under Title VI — Meigs County Public Transit
The Meigs County Office of Public Transit 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 they have been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Meigs County Public Transit.
For more information on MCPT's civil rights program and the procedures to file a complaint, contact Julie Scherfel, Civil Rights Coordinator, at 740-444-7647 (TTY 866-874-3972); email Julie.Scherfel@jfs.ohio.gov; or visit the administrative office at 175 Race Street, Middleport, Ohio 45760.
For transportation-related Title VI matters, a complaint may also be filed directly with the Ohio Department of Transportation, Attn: Office of Equal Opportunity, 1980 West Broad Street, Mailstop 3270, Columbus, OH 43223; or the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Complaint Team, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.
If information is needed in another language, contact 844-737-4999, enter 21223#, Enter 9. This notice is posted in the public areas of the office and inside the transit vehicles.
How to file a Title VI complaint
Any individual, group, or entity that believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Meigs County Public Transit may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency's Title VI Complaint Form. Anyone who files a complaint or participates in an investigation is protected from intimidation or retaliation.
File within 180 days
A complaint must be filed no later than 180 days after the alleged act of discrimination, the date you became aware of it, or — for a continuing course of conduct — the date the conduct was discontinued.
Submit the form
Complete the Title VI Complaint Form and return it to Meigs County Public Transit, Attention: Julie Scherfel, 175 Race Street, Middleport, OH 45760; email Julie.Scherfel@jfs.ohio.gov; fax (740) 992-7500. Assistance is available upon request — call 740-444-7647.
Review & investigation
MCPT reviews the complaint for jurisdiction and forwards a copy to ODOT within 10 calendar days. You'll receive an acknowledgement letter. MCPT has 45 days to investigate; if more information is needed, you'll have 10 business days to respond.
Decision
The investigator issues either a closure letter (no Title VI violation found) or a letter of finding (summarizing allegations, interviews, and any action). You may appeal within 10 days of the letter's date.
A person may also file directly with ODOT (Office of Equal Opportunity, address above) or the FTA Office of Civil Rights. The complaint procedure and form are available on this website, in hard copy at the central MCPT/MCDJFS office, and in the agency Title VI Plan. Download the full Title VI Program, including the printable complaint form (PDF).
More about the program
Plan approval & revision log
The Title VI Plan was adopted on February 23, 2023 by the Meigs County Commissioners, and revised February 8, 2024.
- 2/23/2023 — Adoption of original plan.
- 2/8/2024 — Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 revised: updated Policy Statement, Civil Rights Coordinator, implemented LEP Plan, updated forms.
List of Title VI investigations, complaints & lawsuits
Meigs County Public Transit maintains a log of all Title VI investigations, complaints, and lawsuits related to its transit activities. There have been no investigations, complaints, and/or lawsuits filed against MCPT since the last plan submission.
Public participation plan
To promote inclusive public participation, MCPT employs the following strategies as appropriate: provide for early, frequent and continuous public engagement; select accessible and varied meeting locations and times; employ different meeting sizes and formats; use social media and other resources; use radio, television or newspaper ads on stations and publications that serve LEP populations (including audio programming/podcasts); and expand traditional outreach by visiting ethnic stores/markets and restaurants, community centers, libraries, faith-based institutions, and local festivals. (Meigs County Public Transit is a relatively new program; outreach activities are documented in each Title VI Program submission.)
Language Assistance Plan (LEP) — overview
As a recipient of federal U.S. DOT funding, MCPT takes reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to its programs and activities by limited-English-proficient (LEP) persons — those for whom English is not their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. Consistent with Title VI and Executive Order 13166, the plan identifies the LEP population served, how language assistance is provided, how LEP persons are informed of available assistance, how the plan is monitored and updated, and how staff are trained.
Four-Factor Analysis & languages spoken
MCPT conducted a U.S. DOT four-factor LEP analysis (LEP demography, contact frequency, importance of service, and resources/costs).
Of Meigs County’s 21,151 residents, about 0.7% (140 people) speak a language other than English; people of Spanish descent are the primary LEP group likely to use MCPT services. Among those who speak English "less than very well," 100% speak Spanish.
| Languages spoken at home | Number | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| Speak a language other than English | 140 | 0.7% |
| Speak English less than very well | 52 | 0.02% |
| Spanish | 86 | 0.04% |
| Other Indo-European language | 53 | 0.3% |
| Other language | 1 | 0.0% |
MCPT contracts with CTS Language Link for Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI), available free to all passengers in over 185 languages ($1.25/minute Spanish; $1.45/minute other languages). Since implementing the language line, MCPT has had no requests for interpreters or document translation.
How language assistance is provided & communicated
MCPT provides "I Speak" language cards to staff who have public contact (to identify language needs), contracts for Over-the-Phone Interpretation in 185+ languages for all direct-line staff, and partners with local agencies. LEP persons are informed of these measures through the Title VI Program/LEP Plan (on the MCPT website and in hard copy), "I Speak" cards used by drivers and dispatchers, and the "Notifying the Public of Rights Under Title VI" notice posted in the transit office and in every vehicle.
Monitoring, updates & staff training
The LEP plan is reviewed and updated at least every three years with the Title VI submission, when new U.S. Census data is available, or when LEP concentrations change. Updates consider documented LEP contacts, how needs were addressed, the current LEP population, translation needs, effectiveness of local programs, financial resources, compliance with plan goals, and any complaints. All MCPT staff receive the LEP Plan and annual training (and new-hire orientation) covering Title VI procedures, language assistance services, "I Speak" cards, documentation, use of over-the-phone interpretation, and how to handle a Title VI/LEP complaint. Questions may be directed to the MCPT Title VI Coordinator, Julie Scherfel, 175 Race Street, Middleport OH 45760, (740) 444-7647, Julie.Scherfel@jfs.ohio.gov.
"I Speak" language identification chart
Staff use an "I Speak" card so riders can identify their language. Languages on the chart include: English, Spanish, Hmong, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, German, Russian, Serbian, Hindi, and Urdu. For additional languages, MCPT references the U.S. Census Bureau "I Speak" cards.
Minority representation, subrecipients, equity analysis & MPO
- Minority representation: There are no non-elected transit-related boards, committees, or councils.
- Subrecipients: The agency does not provide funding to subrecipients.
- Title VI equity analysis: The agency has not built a facility.
- MPO requirements: Not applicable — MCPT is not part of a Metropolitan Planning Organization constituency.
File a Title VI complaint
If you believe you experienced discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, contact our Civil Rights Coordinator, Julie Scherfel.