The Road Map To Success
The resources below are valuable for incorporating and adhering to Title VI in public involvement initiatives and activities:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 serves as a critical framework prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI mandates that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." All recipients of Federal funds are obligated to comply with Title VI requirements, which have broad applicability to the programs and activities of both recipients and subrecipients. The USDOT Title VI program mandates that DOT operating administrations formulate comprehensive community participation requirements for applicants and recipients as a prerequisite for receiving Federal financial assistance (U.S. DOT Order 1000.12C.)
A community participation plan plays a pivotal role in ensuring full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by fostering meaningful public participation and engagement. This plan aims to inform funding recipients and organizations adequately about how programs or activities may impact affected communities. It also ensures that diverse perspectives are heard and considered at all stages of the consultation, planning, and decision-making process. Whether as an update to an existing Public Participation Plan or other policies, a Community Participation Plan should guide an organization's overall public involvement activities.
As the saying goes, "Certification without qualification is like giving one a driver’s license without taking the driver’s test." This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that certifications are backed by the necessary qualifications and competencies, akin to the significance of passing a driver's test before obtaining a license.
“Certification without qualification is like giving one a driver’s license without taking the driver’s test”
Gary Wade
Learning what opportunities are available to you
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) is dedicated to mitigating disparities within our transportation systems, with the aim of ensuring that communities experience the safe, efficient, and sustainable movement of people and goods. When executed effectively, transportation policy has the power to level the playing field, bringing about transformative effects on economies, fostering connections to opportunities, and empowering underserved communities to cultivate generational wealth for the future. In collaboration with the traveling public, community leaders, State, Tribal, and local governments, as well as Federal agencies overseeing regulatory matters, we at USDOT are steadfast in our commitment to empowering communities. This commitment is exemplified through the provision of technical assistance resources, including this set of promising practices designed to facilitate meaningful public involvement.
It All Starts with Public Involvement
When embraced across all tiers of an organization, public involvement becomes integral to the success of an organization's plans, projects, and programs. It becomes the collective responsibility of individuals throughout the organization to engage in communication and solicit feedback from all relevant stakeholders regarding transportation projects, services, and decisions. Public involvement practices implemented throughout the organization form the bedrock for fostering effective collaboration, establishing positive community relationships, nurturing community capacity, and ensuring that community leaders, diverse perspectives, and emerging voices all have the opportunity to shape decisions impacting a community. This underscores the notion that public involvement is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; rather, it is prioritized, allocated budget resources, and overseen by qualified staff members dedicated to meticulously carrying out the process.
Pillars of the Academy
Enhance your knowledge by familiarizing yourself with crucial regulations, notably 49 CFR Part 26, along with relevant state and local rules and laws governing the proper allocation of public funds. It is imperative to clearly define your capabilities and qualifications, ensuring that you perform a commercially useful function. To truly grasp the intricacies of these regulations, we emphasize the importance of comprehensive education and training. Understanding your role is pivotal when contracted as a minority participant in a publicly funded project, and our training equips you with the knowledge to comprehend percentage participation in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26.55.
Our training covers essential aspects, including:
Understanding the calculation and application of goal credits.
Familiarity with N.A.I.S.C.
Distinguishing between Certification and Qualification.
Grasping the authentic meaning of "Performing a Commercially Useful Function."
Navigating compliance and enforcement procedures.
One of the paramount principles emphasized in our training is the critical importance of oversight. We guide you through these vital components to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the rules and regulations governing your involvement in public-funded projects.
Tools to goal calculations
While recognizing the applicability of all rules, regulations, and policies, we prioritize training in accordance with the guidelines set forth in 49 CFR Part 26. We consider 49 CFR Part 23/26 as the master plan, outlining Congress's intent to regulate "strict scrutiny" with a compelling government interest across all public agencies. Your business model plays a pivotal role in determining your potential success.
For instance:
If your business is involved in manufacturing goods and services, full participation of 100% of the entire dollar spend is encouraged to contribute toward the overall goal credits.
For legitimate "dealer/distributor" businesses stocking and selling goods, a 60% participation of the entire spend applies toward the overall dollar amount goal.
If your business operates as a "broker," participation is limited to the commission earned from the overall spend.
Upon successful completion of training with MWDBE Training and Resource Academy Inc., participants and agencies gain a comprehensive understanding of the performance levels to be achieved. We provide training on maintaining a thorough track record of opportunities and potential partners, allowing individuals to progress to various levels once they comprehend the strategies imparted by MWDBE Training and Resource Academy Inc.
The pace of your progress is contingent on your time commitment and ability to make a positive impact in your community, particularly when dealing with public funding from diverse sources.
Superior Knowledge – The Academy
Discovering our unique training philosophy won't take long. We emphasize a crucial principle: "Certification alone doesn't guarantee contracts." Rather than aimlessly pursuing the market, we focus on identifying robust opportunities and cultivating meaningful relationships that align with our goals in the chosen market. Our approach leverages straightforward rules and regulations to maintain a consistent understanding of the opportunities available to the minority community.
As a new member or client, you gain access to a comprehensive and direct source—the training academy. This source serves as your guide, leading you through the learning process step by step. Simultaneously, you engage in training that involves real-time simulations and interactions with actual people and projects. This hands-on approach equips you with the knowledge and confidence necessary to thrive as a successful minority business.