The role of the Civil Rights Coordinator is to objectively investigate allegations of discrimination and render findings on complaints. All investigations are handled in a manner that maintains confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.

If you feel Madera County has discriminated against you, you can make a discrimination complaint to the Madera County Department of Social Services Civil Rights Coordinator:

Maria Rodriguez
Madera County Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 569
Madera, CA 93638-0569
Phone: (559) 675-7841
Fax: (559) 675-7761

The information the Civil Rights Coordinator will likely need includes the following:

• Client/Applicant name and contact information
• The basis of the complaint (e.g. race, gender, religion)
• The discriminatory action(s) taken against the complainant (e.g. denial of benefits, no reasonable accommodation made, etc.)
• The actual date(s) the incident(s) took place
• The names, job title, division, location of the individual(s) accused of discrimination
• A detailed explanation of the sequence of events which you believe to be discriminatory
• The specific action or corrective measure the complainant is seeking

A complaint must be filed within 180 days from the date the alleged discriminatory action occurred unless the time for the filing is extended by the Civil Rights Coordinator for good cause.

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Civil Rights Coordinator will send a letter to the complainant acknowledging receipt of the complaint within 20 calendar days. An investigation is scheduled and may include reviewing and obtaining copies of relevant documents (Notice of Action, information from files, etc.), interviewing witnesses (workers, supervisors, etc.), and any other actions considered necessary in order to obtain relevant information.

It is important to remember that the complainant is expected to participate and cooperate with the investigation by providing any written material, names of individuals to interview, or any other information, which would assist in the investigation.

California Department of Social Services Civil Rights Bureau
744 P Street, MS 8-16-70
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 654-2107
(866) 741-6241 (Toll-Free)
Website: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Reporting/File-a-Complaint/Discrimination-Complaints

For the Calfresh Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Mail Stop 9410
1400 Independence Avenue S.W.,Room 1330, South Building
Washington, DC 20250.
Telephone: (800) 368-1019 TTY: (800) 537-7697
Website: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/node/119

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Civil Rights
90 7th Street, Suite 4-100
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 437-8310 (voice)
(415) 437-8311 (TDD)
Website: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

The publication PUB 13 pamphlet describes your rights and explains what you can do if you have a complaint. The information in the pamphlet is for persons applying for, receiving, or who have received public assistance or services.

Pub 13:

English

Pub 13 Lage Print:

English

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