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CROWN: April 2021 - Enforcement Division

The Enforcement Division continues to focus on providing excellent customer service and conducting thorough evaluation and investigation of allegations of unlawful discrimination. For FY 21 (October 1, 2020 - March 23, 2021) Intake Civil Rights Claims Examiners and CRIs who conduct intake processed 2,497 complaint issue cases of which 1425 were closed with SOCs, 568 are pending in evaluation or initiation, and 511 were moved to investigation (170 EEOC, 310 MDCR-only, and 31 HUD). Records Center staff processed approximately 500 EEOC charge receipts (EEOC initiated complaints that are investigated by EEOC but dually filed with MDCR), 53 audit requests, and hundreds of requests for EEOC numbers.  Our current formal complaint inventory is 2,466 open investigations. Case completions for FY 21 (October 1-September 30) by staff to date are 263 EEOC cases and 223 MDCR-only cases; our HUD FY 21 contract measurement period (July 1-June 30) case completions by staff to date are 160 HUD cases. Our work is a collective team effort, and each Enforcement colleague has a vital role in providing customer service and processing work. 

The Housing Team continues to conduct fair housing training to educate individuals on fair housing laws.  

On March 17, 2021, Demetrius Hunter conducted a fair housing training with the FHCSW MI and the City of Kalamazoo as a part of the ongoing training of landlords and owners in the Kalamazoo area.

On March 18, 2021, Housing Team Staff Attorney, Tyra Khan conducted a fair housing training with the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan (FHCSWM) for ALPACT out of the Kalamazoo area.

On March 25, 2021, Rene and Jarrett conducted a fair housing training with the FHCSWM and the City of Kalamazoo as a part of the ongoing training of landlords and owners in the Kalamazoo area.

All presenters had great reviews and did a wonderful job.   

Individual recognition this month goes to CRIs Christina Beltz and Alex Baron. Christina facilitated a settlement for two companion cases where Claimant was returned to work with an annual salary of $127,000, received a cash settlement in the amount of $28,000 for backpay, and granted approval for telecommuting as an accommodation. Christina also received the following acknowledgement from a claimant that was sent to Director White and Chair Clayton: 

"I want to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent effort that Ms. Christine Beltz, Civil Rights Investigator, provided on my cases. Ms. Beltz maintained the integrity of the investigation by conducting herself in a professional manner. As my case became more time sensitive, she kept me informed of the progress including what information she needed from me, as well as the Respondents. As a result of her diligent efforts to complete the investigation, my employer, Oakland County, decided to make a reasonable offer to resolve the civil rights issues.

As a public employee in the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for 30 years, I understand the importance of how we conduct ourselves in the pursuit of the public good. Ms. Beltz is a credit to the MDCR and an exemplary public servant."

Alex investigated seven (7) cases that were accepted into conciliation during the last two months:  three (3) companion cases in the area of Education alleging a difference in treatment and harassment due to race (African-American) and retaliation; two (2) in Public Accommodation, one alleging failure to accommodate and hostile environment due to disability and the other alleging difference in treatment due to disability; one (1) in Public Service alleging difference in treatment due to sex and retaliation; and one (1) in Employment alleging discipline and constructive discharge due to national origin and retaliation. 

Awesome job Christina and Alex!

Team recognition this month goes to our Intake Team who has been short staffed for well over a year but continue to work diligently to provide excellent service to our customers. Thank you, Catherine, Karyn, Lisa, Monique, Tonya, and Tracey for all that you do! Assistance is on the way!