Complaint Procedures

Any applicant for an employment position with Center for Survivors, an employee of a DVS subrecipient organization, or client of Center for Survivors who has reason to believe that they have been unlawfully discriminated against or experience discriminatory harassment on the race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, height, weight, marital status, gender identification or expression, sexual orientation, partisan considerations, history of alcohol or drug use, arrest record, or a disability or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position by a DVS subrecipients of federal funds or receive services from CFS should contact the MDHHS EEO Officer, and also submit a complaint internally within CFS.

The following complaint policies and procedures will be adhered to:

1. Any applicant for an employment position with Center for Survivors, an employee of a DVS subrecipient organization, or client of Center for Survivors can file a discrimination/discriminatory harassment complaint with the subrecipient, the employee shall use the Center for Survivors Civil Rights Grievance Form or prepare a written statement containing the name, address, and telephone number of the individual or authorized representative filing the complaint; a thorough and specific description of the situation, incident, or condition; indicate discriminatory factors such as race, sex, disability, genetic information, etc.; identity of witnesses, if any; the resolution the individual is seeking; and the signature of the individual filing the complaint properly dated by the complainant, including those protected above.
2. Complaints should be sent to the CFS Director, MDHHS EEO Officer and DVS. If DVS receives a complaint from an employee of a subrecipient that has not been sent to EEO Officer, that complaint shall be forwarded to MDHHS EEO Officer within two (2) business days.
   
   MSU Center for Survivors
   Tana Fedewa- Director
   556 E. Circle Dr., Suite 207
   East Lansing, MI. 48824
   E-mail: adamstan@msu.edu
   
   Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
   Mr. Jimmy Waters – Civil Rights Complaint Coordinator
   235 South Grand Avenue, Suite 708
   P.O. Box 30037
   Lansing, MI 48909
   E-mail: WatersJ@michigan.gov

   Division of Victim Services
   Gail Krieger – Director of Operations
   Grand Tower, Suite 1108
   PO Box 30037
   Lansing, MI 48909
   E-mail: KriegerG@michigan.gov

   1. The MDHHS EEO Officer and/or CFS Director will provide the complainant with written acknowledgement of the complaint within three (3) business days of receiving the complaint.
   2. Reviews of the complaint will occur by the following:
      
      1. The MDHHS EEO Officer will promptly conduct a review of the issues involved in the complaint to ascertain whether an informal resolution of the complaint can be achieved. If an informal resolution is possible and mutually agreeable by the parties involved, the MDHHS EEO Officer will facilitate arrangement of the resolution and make a record of this agreement. If no informal resolution is possible, the MDHHS EEO Officer will forward the complaint to the appropriate federal or state enforcement agency such as U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). This process will occur within thirty (30) days of receiving the complaint.
      2. The CFS Director will review the Grievance Form and consult the leadership team. After the incident is discussed within the leadership team, it will be determined whether an informal resolution of the issue can be achieved.
      3. If so, the Director will facilitate the resolution and document the steps, then submit to MSU UHW Executive Director, MDHHS EEO Officer and MDHHS DVS for their reference.
      4. If an informal resolution cannot be reached, CFS will consult with the UHW Executive Director/MSU General Counsel/MSU OER and communicate the process to MDHHS DVS and MDHHS EEO Officer.
   3. MDHHS EEO Officer will notify employees of subrecipient and the subrecipient’s in writing if the complaint is forwarded to EEOC or MDCR.
   4. MDHHS EEO Officer will also inform the employee of the subrecipient to follow up with EEOC or MDCR regarding their complaint.
   5. MDHHS EEO Officer will document complaint information in a database and/or file.
   6. Record Keeping:
      
      1. MDHHS EEO Officer is to:
         
         1. Maintain records of all complaints received including complaints forms, supporting documentation, acknowledgement of complaint receipt letters and resolution letters. All complaint records will be filed in a secured cabinet and access will be restricted to the MDHHS EEO Officer.
         2. Preserve all records from all investigative steps for seven (7) years (three years at the worksite and then four years in the archives) after the final decision is issued.
      2. CFS Director is to:
         
         1. Maintain records of all complaints received including the Grievance Form, supporting documentation, resolution steps, communications with MDHHS EEO Officer and/or MDHHS DVS for at least seven (7) years either in a locked file cabinet or a protected virtual storage space.
      3. Any requests for documents from the investigation file must be requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Send FOIA requests to:
         
         Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
         ATTN: FOIA Coordinator
         P.O. Box 30195
         Lansing, Michigan, 48909
         Fax: (517) 241-7340

If you have any questions regarding this policy, you may contact:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Mr. Jimmy Waters- Civil Rights Complaint Coordinator
235 South Grand Avenue, Suite 708
P.O. Box 30037 Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 335-4722
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/legal/equal-opp

MSU Center for Survivors
Tana Fedewa- Director
556 E. Circle Dr., Suite 207
East Lansing, MI. 48824
E-mail: adamstan@msu.edu