HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning - Franklin County Planning DepartmentNOTICE of Franklin County's
Section 504 Officer and Process for Grievance
Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations ("Section
504"), no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Franklin County does not discriminate in access to, participation in, or treatment, or employment in,
its programs or activities. The Franklin County Section 504 Officer is John Burnett. The Officer can be
reached at:
272 North 2nd St.
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 261-3819 (TTY Users: 7-1-1)
Fax: (717) 264-3413
Email: rskmgt@franklincountypa.gov
Grievance Procedures for any person who believes that s/he has been discriminated against or
denied equal opportunity or access to programs or services may file a complaint, which shall be
referred to as a grievance, with Franklin County as shown above. Grievance procedures and complaint
forms may be requested from the offices of the County of Franklin by contacting the Franklin County
Risk Department at 272 North 2nd St. Chambersburg, PA 17201 or telephone: (717) 261-3819 (TTY
Users: 7-1-1) or fax: 717-264-3413, or email: rskmgmt@franklincountypa.gov, or Franklin County's
website at www.franklincountypa.gov.
EOUAt HOUSING
OPPOf!TUtilllV
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
SECTION 504 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE for
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
It is the policy of Franklin County not to discriminate on the basis of disability. Franklin County has adopted an internal grievance procedure that providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794). Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
An individual who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability as a recipient of federal assistance may file a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for Franklin County to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.
Procedure:
The following steps will be undertaken by Franklin County when an individual chooses to file a
grievance relating to a federally funded program or activity where he or she believes they have
been discriminated against on the basis of disability.
1.Any individual choosing to file a fonnal grievance may obtain a form from the Section 504 Officer, John Burnett, 272 North 2nd St. Chambersburg, PA 17201, or by calling (717) 261-3819, TTY 7-1-1 or by emailingrskmgt@franklincountypa.gov or Franklin County's website atwww .franklincountypa.gov.
2.Grievances must be submitted to the Section 504 Officer within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act unless good cause can be shown for delay.
3.Complaints must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought.
4.The Section 504 Officer ( or his or her designee) shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation may be infonnal, but it must be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The Section 504 Officer will maintain the files and records of Franklin County relating to such grievances.
5.The Section 504 Officer will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 15 days after its filing.
6.The individual filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the Section 504 Officer by writing to the County Commissioners within 15 days of receiving the
Section 504 Officer's decision. The County Commissioners shal1 then issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 15 days after its filing.
7.In the event that the person filing the grievance is not satisfied with the County Commissioners' decision, he or she can file a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the following agency:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
FHEO/Region Ill Office Mid-Atlantic Office
100 Penn Square East, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3380
(215)861-7643
Fax: (215) 656-3449
TTY: (800) 927-9275
Email: PA_ webmanager@hud.gov
Franklin County will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, if needed, to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing recorded/auditory material for the blind, or assuring a batTier-free location for the proceedings. The Section 504 Officer will be responsible for such arrangements.
Individuals with Limited English Proficiency who are interested in filing a grievance may call, email or write to Franklin County in their native language. Franklin County will be responsible for translation and responding in the same language. Franklin County has access to telephone-based services that can translate upon demand for a phone call or meeting.
Dean Horst, Commissioner ChairmanCarrie Gray, County Administrator
Approved & Adopted: March 11, 2026
ATTEST:FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER:
4.Is there any solution or solutions you believe may remedy the problem?
I hereby certify that the above complaint is true an accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Complainant's Signature: _________________ _
Signature Date: __________
Return form to:
John Burnett
Section 504 Officer
Franklin County, PA
272 North Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717)261-3819
TTY: 711
(717)264-3413
rskmgt@franklincountypa.gov