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Field Operations will gather facts that will either support or refute the complainant’s allegations(s) ensuring that all relevant sources of information are investigated. The facts will be reviewed and evaluated. A decision letter informing the complainant of closure or follow-up action and the right to appeal to the Secretary of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights will be written and submitted to HHS Regional OCR. HHS RO will maintain rights to oversight and concurrence with the agency’s decision. Upon HHS OCR approval, the decision letter will be issued to the complainant. Corrective action, when necessary, will be implemented. All complaints, regardless of the originating office, shall be processed and closed within 90 days of receipt. COMPLAINT INVOLVING OTHER AGENCIES When a complaint involves another Federal Agency, Field Operations will refer the complaint to that agency and will notify complainant of the referral. PROGRAM COMPLAINTS When the complaint is strictly a program issue (not a discrimination issue based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, national origin, or political belief), it will be processed through the routine program hearings procedure and not as a discrimination complaint. Discrimination complaints will not be handled in the hearing process. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Applicants and recipients will be informed of nondiscrimination compliance via the following: 1. The State Agency shall publicize the nondiscrimination compliance statement on the application, pamphlets, etc. 2. Information regarding the complaint system and an explanation of the procedure must be provided to all persons within ten (10) days from the request.

1013 Volume III | Chapter 1 MISSISSIPPI [ GENERAL: NONDISCRIMINATION COMPLIANCE ]

Revised 06 - 01 - 06