Filing a Complaint of Discrimination

Any person who believes he or she has, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin may file a Title VI complaint with N4. The complaint must be in writing and filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. The signed, written complaint should include the following information:

  • Your name, address, and contact information (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.); and
  • How, when, where, and why you believe you or another person were discriminated against. Include the route, bus number, location, names, and contact information of any witnesses.

Title VI Complaint Form – English

Title VI Complaint Form – Spanish

The complaint must be filed with N4 at the following location:

Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4)

Amy Dewitt-Smith, Executive Director

4790 Caughlin Parkway #453

Reno NV, 89519

Complaint Assistance: N4 staff will provide assistance with writing a complaint if the complainant is unable to do so. N4 is located at Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living, 999 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89431, or can be reached by phone at 775-453-4774. N4 staff are available to provide assistance Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 5pm, excluding scheduled holidays.

Complainants may also file a Title VI complaint with an external entity such as the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), FTA, other federal or state agency. However, should a complaint be filed with N4 and an external entity simultaneously, the external complaint will supersede the N4 complaint. In short, the federal or state agency will complete the investigation of the complaint.

What happens to my complaint to N4?

All complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color or national origin in a service or benefit provided by N4 will be recorded and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, promptly investigated. N4 will commence the formal investigation of a Title VI complaint within ten (10) working days of receiving the complaint.

In instances where additional information is needed for assessment or investigation of the complaint, N4 will contact the complainant in writing within 15 working days. Failure of the complainant to cooperate or to provide the requested information by a specified date may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.

N4 will investigate the complaint and, following review of the facts revealed during the investigation, will prepare a written response for review and approval by the Regional Transportation Commission. If, following the investigation N4 is unable to conclude that a violation of the statute has occurred, it may administratively close the complaint. The written response, regardless of the decision, will be provided to the complainant. The response will advise the complainant of his/her right to file a complaint externally with federal and state authorities.

N4 will use its best efforts to respond to a Title VI complaint within sixty (60) working days of its receipt of such a complaint. The complainant may file an external Title VI complaint or appeal the N4 decision with the:

Regional Transportation Commission

Director of Administrative Services

1105 Terminal Way

Reno, NV 89523

Nevada Equal Rights Commission

1325 Corporate Boulevard

Reno, NV 89502

Office of Civil Rights, Region IX

201 Mission Street, Suite 1650

San Francisco, CA 94105-1839

External complaints may also be filed with:

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Transit Administration Civil Rights Officer

NDOT

123 E. Washington Ave, Bldg G

Las Vegas, NV 89101