Public Notice
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice on the basis of race, color, or national origin has the right to file a formal complaint with the County. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with the County Compliance Officer within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence.
In addition to its obligations under Title VI, Tompkins County is committed to equally serving all persons in all county programs or services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, alienage, disability, medical condition, military status, familial status, ex-offender status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Title VI Discrimination Complaint Forms may be obtained online (below) or from the
Department of County Administration at 125 East Court Street, 3rd Floor, Ithaca, NY 14850.
What is discrimination according to Title VI?
Title VI defines discrimination as follows:
Disparate treatment focuses on the discriminatory intent of a challenged action and is defined as treating similarly situated persons or groups differently based on their protected status or category.
Disparate impact occurs when a "neutral procedure or practice" results in fewer or inferior services or benefits to members of a protected group. Disparate impact focuses on the consequences of a decision, policy, or practice rather than the discriminatory intent.
How can I report discrimination or unequal treatment?
If you believe that you have been excluded from, denied the benefits of, or been subjected to discrimination in any program, service, or activity administered by Tompkins County, you have the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the incident.
For further information regarding the Tompkins County Title VI Program or
the Tompkins County Compliance Program please contact:
Charlene Holmes, Chief Equity & Diversity Officer or Jessi Schmeiske, Risk & Compliance Administrator
Department of County Administration
125 East Court Street, 3rd Floor
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5551