PROJECT: 25-23-040 - Title VI and Environmental Justice
| Responsible Agency: | Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission |
|---|---|
| Program Coordinator: | Alison Hastings |
| Project Manager(s): | Elise Turner, Shoshana Akins, Wideleine Desir |
| Supports LRP Goals: |
Goals:
Implement Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by ensuring that all residents of the Delaware Valley have opportunities to participate in the regional transportation planning process and are not discriminated against in the capital investment programming process. Ensure that Environmental Justice (EJ), as outlined by the 1994 President's Executive Order, and other nondiscrimination mandates, are considered in DVRPC's planning and outreach practices.
Description:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that no person or group shall be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of any program or activity using federal funds. Environmental Justice (EJ) refines this concept by specifying the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people, including a racial, ethnic, or a socioeconomic group, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal or commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies.
DVRPC's Office of Communications and Engagement (OCE) maintains, documents, and carries out the Commission's Title VI Compliance Program. This office routinely evaluates the Commission's: a) Public Participation Plan, b) Limited English-Proficiency Plan, c) Title VI Compliance Plan, and d) Indicators for Potential Disadvantage (IPD) analysis tool, and regularly explores the potential for other publications, brochures, and outreach tools. This office also advises commission staff in evaluating potential impacts of transportation projects on low-income and minority populations, evaluating accessibility and mobility for disadvantaged populations, and outreach techniques to reach diverse audiences. This program area also supports expanded outreach for DVRPC's mandated documents and processes in order to create opportunities for meaningful engagement in low-income and minority communities. This program fulfills translation and interpretation requests and proactively translates specific materials per the Commission's LEP Plan. This program area may analyze how specific demographic groups used in the IPD compliance tool have changed over time.
Tasks:
- Maintain and update the DVRPC Public Participation Plan, Limited-English Proficiency Plan, and Title VI Compliance Plan and other publications related to DVRPC's efforts to create meaningful participation in the regional planning process. Completion of this project may require the purchase of equipment or services.
- Language Access Plan will continue to be implemented.
- Title VI Plan will need to be reviewed annually to determine if any changes are needed.
- Public Participation Plan will be updated as needed
- Advise DVRPC staff on outreach to low-income and minority communities and using the IPD analysis in projects, plans, and programs.
- Explore potential for other analytical reports, data snapshots, and/or outreach brochures that advance DVRPC's Title VI and EJ program.
- Work with DVRPC staff to monitor progress toward Title VI, EJ, public participation, and language access goals, and integrate equity throughout the commission's projects.
- Undertake assessment of the benefits and burdens of programmed and proposed transportation system improvements, working within the LRP and TIP time-frames.
- Train staff on an ongoing basis regarding Title VI/EJ strategies. Completion of this project may require the purchase of equipment or services.
- Complete responsibilities of the Title VI Compliance Manager, including carrying out investigations (if needed) and working with the Administration/Operations Division to review Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals.
- Explore opportunities for EJ events for DVRPC stakeholders and the general public.
- Participate in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and DBE training and committees offered by PennDOT, NJDOT, FHWA, FTA, or other planning partners.
- Participate in any reviews conducted by state transportation agencies or other planning partners.
- Regularly update the Indicators of Potential Disadvantage (IPD) compliance tool when new American Community Survey (ACS) data is released. Explore IPD and other mapping/technology strategies to enhance data gathering, public information, and analysis.
- Continue to expand DVRPC's language access measures by responding to requests made through online request forms (among other ways), and managing the translation of the Commission's vital documents as identified in the LEP Plan. Completion of this project may require the purchase of equipment or services.
- Act as a resource for member governments, planning partners, subrecipients, etc. in meeting Title VI, EJ, and public participation mandates.
- Assist with IIJA and Justice40 guidance and planning partner support related to Title VI, EJ, underserved populations, and equity.
- Take part in the internal Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA) Committee
Products:
- If needed, updated versions of: (a) DVRPC Publication Participation Plan; (b) Limited English Proficiency Plan; and (c) Title VI Compliance Plan.
- Contact lists for community organizations and individuals who have expressed interest in Commission's public involvement and outreach activities, and community organizations that work with traditionally under-served communities and/or limited English proficiency individuals or groups.
- Additional analyses and reports as needed.
- Title VI/EJ Analyses assessing the benefits and burdens of TIP, Long-Range Plan (LRP) and other mandated documents.
- Refined and updated Indicators of Potential Disadvantage (IPD) compliance tool.
- Training materials, presentations, and documentation that on DVRPC's Title VI Compliance Program and EJ considerations.
- Translated documents including the Commission's Public Participation Plan, Title VI Complaint Form, and other vital documents.
- Supporting materials for any of the other tasks above.
Beneficiaries:
Greater Philadelphia residents, low-income and minority population groups, member governments, transportation agencies and operators, planning partners and community organizations.
Project Cost and Funding:
| FY | Total | Highway PL Program | Transit PL Program | Comprehensive Planning | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $211,500 | $157,925 | $51,075 | $2,500 | |
| 2024 | $221,500 | $163,517 | $55,483 | $2,500 | |
| 2025 | $236,500 | $168,694 | $65,306 | $2,500 |