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Title IX and Complaints

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We believe in creating a safe, respectful, and accountable environment for everyone. Our Anonymous Complaint Platform empowers individuals to raise concerns or report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Whether you’re experiencing inappropriate behavior, witnessing unethical practices, or simply want to highlight an issue that needs attention, this platform allows you to speak up confidentially and securely. 

Phone: 833.280.2875          Online: hccts.ethicspoint.com          Mobile: hcctsmobile.ethicspoint.com

Title IX

Highlands Community Charter & Technical Schools (HCCTS) is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education and employment. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment where every person, regardless of background or identity, feels safe, valued, and supported in our schools, programs, and workplaces.

HCCTS strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment (including sexual and discriminatory harassment), intimidation, and bullying of any kind in any program, activity, or employment setting. This includes discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation or related medical conditions and recovery, family status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. These protections extend to all aspects of the School’s operations, including academic programs, extracurricular activities, employment, and access to designated youth groups or any other basis protected by law or regulation.

These protections are guaranteed under applicable state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the California Education Code. HCCTS does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report or participate in the investigation of complaints involving discrimination, harassment, or related misconduct.

Highlands Community Charter & Technical Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, as required by Title IX and its regulations. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the School’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

How to File a Complaint Under Title IX

Individuals who believe they have experienced or witnessed sex-based discrimination, harassment, or other Title IX concerns may report them to a school administrator or directly to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, Daniela Voronkova. Reports may be made in person, by email, phone, or written through the online form. Complaints may be submitted anonymously if chosen. In addition, Individuals also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Title IX Coordinator:
Daniela Voronkova
Interim Human Resources Analyst
daniela.voronkova@hccts.org
916.643.4898 ext 273

In the event the above-named individual becomes unavailable or unable to serve as the Coordinator, the Board has designated the following employee to serve as a temporary or interim Coordinator until a new Coordinator is designated:

Shaina Miranda, Executive Assistant
1111 Howe Ave., Sacramento, CA 95825
shaina.miranda@hccts.org | 916-844-2283     

Process Filing and HCCTS Title IX Complaint

Title IX Complaint Form

  1. 1. Report a Concern
  2. • Any student, parent/guardian, employee, or community member may report suspected sex-based discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
    • Reports can be made verbally or in writing to a school administrator or directly to the District Title IX Coordinator, Daniela Voronkova.
  3.  
  4. 2. Initial Response
    • The Title IX Coordinator promptly reviews the complaint, ensures supportive measures are offered (such as counseling, schedule changes, or no-contact directives), and explains the individual’s rights and options.
  5.  
  6. 3. Formal Complaint
    • If the individual wishes to move forward, they may file a formal written complaint with the Title IX Coordinator.
    •  The Coordinator will provide the complainant and respondent with information about the investigation process.
  7.  
  8. 4. Investigation
    • A trained investigator gathers evidence, interviews parties and witnesses, and prepares a report.
    • Both parties have the opportunity to review and respond to the evidence.
  9.  
  10. 5. Decision and Outcome
    • A decision-maker (not the investigator or Coordinator) reviews the evidence and issues a written determination regarding responsibility.
    • Remedies are provided as needed, and disciplinary action may be taken if policy violations occur.
  11.  
  12. 6. Appeal
  13. • Either party may appeal the outcome on specific grounds, such as procedural errors or new evidence.
  14.  
  15. 7. External Option
    • At any time, individuals may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Filing a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

In addition to reporting concerns to the school or District Title IX Coordinator, individuals have the right to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Complaints can be submitted online through the OCR Complaint Portal, by email, or by mail. Generally, complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. For more information or to file online, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

If you believe you have been discriminated or retaliated against on any of these bases by a covered entity, you may file a complaint using either the electronic complaint form or the fillable PDF complaint form linked at the bottom of this page.

If you choose to file a complaint using either method, you will be asked to provide your name, address, and email address; the name and address of the person discriminated against; and the name and address of the entity you believe discriminated.

You will also be asked which of the kinds of discrimination forms the basis for your complaint. You will need to provide a description of the conduct that you believe is discriminatory.

By law, complaints of discrimination must ordinarily be filed within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. If your complaint involves matters that occurred longer ago than this and you are requesting a waiver, you will be asked to show good cause why you did not file your complaint within the 180-day period.

You will be asked whether you have tried to resolve the matter using a grievance procedure or by filing with another agency.

In addition to the complaint, a signed Consent Form may be required. When disclosure of the identity of the complainant is necessary in order to resolve the complaint, OCR will require written consent before proceeding. The complainant will be informed that the complaint will be closed if written consent is necessary in order to resolve the complaint and is not received within 20 calendar days of the date of the acknowledgement letter or the date the Consent Form is requested from the complainant. The signed Consent Form may be submitted to OCR by mail, fax, email (with a scanned attachment), or in person.

When OCR has determined that consent is necessary in order to resolve the complaint and OCR has not received a signed Consent Form by the 15th calendar day of the date of the acknowledgment letter or the date the Consent Form is requested from the complainant, OCR will contact the complainant (e.g., by phone) to inform the complainant that the complaint will be closed if the signed Consent Form is not received within 5 calendar days. If OCR does not receive signed written Consent Form, the complaint will be dismissed, and the complainant informed in writing.

If you submit the completed electronic complaint form, it will be routed to the OCR office with authority to handle complaints in the state where the institution or entity you are complaining about is located. A staff person will contact you once your electronic complaint has been received and reviewed.

If you select the fillable PDF complaint form, once you complete the complaint form and Consent Form, you should print them out, sign them; and mail them (or email scanned copies of the signed forms) to the Enforcement Office with authority for the state where the institution or entity you are complaining about is located. A staff person will contact you once your complaint has been received and reviewed.

You may now continue to either the electronic complaint form or the fillable PDF complaint form, or you may return to the OCR Complaint Process page at

Complaints pertaining to Title IX issues should be filed utilizing the procedures detailed above, as found at the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

San Francisco OCR Office
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
50 Beale Street, Suite 7200
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: 415-486-5570
Fax: 415-486-5570
Email: ocr.SanFrancisco@ed.gov

Complaints pertaining to Title IX issues can also be filed utilizing the Uniform Complaint Procedures as identified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 4600 et seq. For more information on the UCP complaints and appeals, visit the CDE’s Uniform Complaint Procedures and Resolution of Discrimination/Harassment Complaint  pages.

Additional Resources