Nondiscrimination Notice and Grievance Procedures
Nondiscrimination Notice and Grievance Procedures
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
The Age Discrimination Act
Title IX
40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (“ARC”) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, or disability in the administration of any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s implementing regulations at 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7.
ARC provides this notice to the public and to participants in its programs and activities, and posts it in a prominent location on its website and in its offices. The notice is made available in alternative formats and with language assistance upon request.
SCOPE
These procedures govern complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability by any person who believes they have been subjected to such discrimination in connection with an ARC program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. These procedures do not govern employment discrimination complaints, which are addressed through ARC’s personnel policies and the appropriate agencies (e.g., the EEOC), except to the extent such complaints are covered by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7.
DESIGNATED CIVIL RIGHTS COORDINATOR
ARC has designated the following employee to coordinate its compliance with 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 and to receive and process grievances filed under these procedures:
Name: John-Mark Bell
Title: Operations Director | Civil Rights Coordinator
Mailing Address: 6844 Bardstown STE #677, Louisville Kentucky 40291
Email: jmbell@arcprotects.org
Phone: 803.231.0086
HOW AND WHEN TO FILE A COMPLAINT
A complaint should be filed in writing and submitted to the Civil Rights Coordinator at the contact information above. Complaints should be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory act. A complaint should include, to the extent possible:
- The name and contact information of the person filing (the complainant);
- A description of the alleged discriminatory act(s), including the basis (race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability);
- The date(s) on which the alleged discrimination occurred; and
- The remedy or relief sought.
INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION
The Civil Rights Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of a complaint in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days. The Coordinator will conduct a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation, which may include interviews and review of relevant records, and will issue a written determination to the complainant within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt. If additional time is required, the Coordinator will notify the complainant in writing of the reason for the delay and the anticipated completion date.
APPEAL
A complainant who is dissatisfied with the determination may appeal in writing to ARC’s Executive Director, JJ Apodaca, PhD, Executive Director, within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of the determination. The Executive Director will issue a written decision on the appeal within thirty (30) calendar days. Where the appeal concerns the Coordinator’s own conduct, ARC will designate an alternate impartial reviewer.
RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH EPARIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH EPA
Use of these procedures is not a prerequisite to filing a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and a person may file a complaint with EPA whether or not they have first used ARC’s grievance procedures. Complaints alleging discrimination by a recipient of EPA financial assistance may be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory act with:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
External Civil Rights Compliance Office (Mail Code 2310A)
Office of General Counsel
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460
Email: Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov
PROHIBITION AGAINST INTIMIDATION AND RETALIATION
Consistent with 40 C.F.R. § 7.100, ARC will not intimidate, threaten, coerce, or retaliate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by the civil rights authorities listed above, or because the individual has filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under these procedures or those authorities.
RECORDKEEPING
ARC will retain records of complaints filed under these procedures and their resolution in accordance with applicable record-retention requirements, and will make such records available to EPA upon request.
ADOPTION
These Nondiscrimination Grievance Procedures were updated by JJ Apodaca, Ph.D on June 22, 2026.