How AAWDC Uses and Secures Your Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

To determine your eligibility to participate in initiatives operated by the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) or its subgrantees and to maintain a record of your activities in our initiatives, you may be required to provide certain information. Providing this information is voluntary. However, failure to provide this information may disqualify you from participating in the initiative.

We recognize that much of this information is sensitive and confidential. We store your personal information both electronically and in a physical file (collectively called your participant file). Electronic records include both data in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) and other internal spreadsheets and data collection systems maintained by AAWDC or its Partners. Federal and state sunshine laws govern disclosure of information in your participant file, including but not limited to: the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), and AAWDC’s Privacy and Data Security Policy.
Our policy states that the information in your participant file is viewable by the following:
• You – You may access your file. Should you wish to access your participant file, you must file a request as required by the Maryland Public Information Act.
• AAWDC staff – Employees and contractors working on behalf of AAWDC may access your participant file as necessary to conduct routine business and to ensure compliance with AAWDC standards and grant requirements.
• State and federal staff/contractors – State and federal employees and contractors may access your participant file to ensure compliance with grant rules and regulations.
• Other persons – In general, we must have your written permission to disclose any information to third parties. However, there are exceptions required by law (for instance, criminal investigations). We will make any disclosures required under the Maryland Public Information Act (General Provisions Article, Sec. 4-101 to 4-601) or other relevant statutes.

Federal regulations (20 CFR 97.42) require that AAWDC retain all information in your participant file for three years after the date of grant closeout (or last date retrieved, whichever is later). AAWDC will maintain your participant file in a manner consistent with its Privacy and Data Security Policy.

Equal Opportunity Is The Law

It is against the law for AAWDC, its subgrantees, or service providers, as recipients of Federal financial assistance, to discriminate on the following bases:

Against any individual in the United States on the basis of:

• Race;
• Color;
• Religion;
• Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sex stereotyping, transgender status, and gender identity);
• National origin (including limited English proficiency);
• Age;
• Disability; or
• Political affiliation or belief

Against any beneficiary of, applicant to, or participant in programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, on the basis of:

• Citizenship status or
• Participation in any WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity

AAWDC, its subgrantees, and service providers must not discriminate in any of the following areas:

• Deciding who will be admitted, or have access, to any WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity;
• Providing opportunities in, or treating any person with regard to, such a program or activity; or
• Making employment decisions in the administration of, or in connection with, such a program or activity.

As a recipient of federal financial assistance, AAWDC must take reasonable steps to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with others. This means that, upon request and at no cost to the individual, AAWDC is required to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities.

What To Do If You Believe You Have Experienced Discrimination

If you think that you have been subjected to discrimination under a WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity, you may file a complaint within 180 days from the date of the alleged violation with either:

Equal Opportunity Officer, AAWDC | 1131 Benfield Blvd., Ste. N Millersville, MD 21108 | complaints@aawdc.org

or

Director, Civil Rights Center (CRC), U.S. Department of Labor | 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-4123 Washington, DC 20210 | or electronically as directed on the CRC Web site at www.dol.gov/crc

If you file your complaint with AAWDC, you must wait either until AAWDC issues a written Notice of Final Action, or until 90 days have passed (whichever is sooner), before filing with the Civil Rights Center (see address above).

If AAWDC does not give you a written Notice of Final Action within 90 days of the day on which you filed your complaint, you may file a complaint with CRC before receiving that Notice. However, you must file your CRC complaint within 30 days of the 90-day deadline (in other words, within 120 days after the day on which you filed your complaint with AAWDC). 

If AAWDC does give you a written Notice of Final Action on your complaint, but you are dissatisfied with the decision or resolution, you may file a complaint with CRC. You must file your CRC complaint within 30 days of the date on which you received the Notice of Final Action.

How AAWDC Handles All Other Complaints

AAWDC strives to provide high-quality services to all clients and customers of the Anne Arundel County workforce development system. If you have questions or concerns about the services that you have received through AAWDC or the Anne Arundel County Career Centers, you may file a complaint within 60 days of the incident or occurrence with:

Complaints Resolution, Office of Compliance | 1131 Benfield Blvd., Ste. N Millersville, MD 21108 | complaints@aawdc.org

Per 20 CFR 683.600(c), AAWDC has 60 days to resolve your complaint.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understood How AAWDC Uses and Secures My Personally Identifiable Information, Equal Opportunity is the Law, and How AAWDC Handles All Other Complaints.

Under the Federal Educational Records Privacy Act (FERPA), your educational records are protected by federal law from disclosure to any persons other than yourself without your specific written permission. As a requirement of funding through AAWDC, we require disclosure of certain student records. Such access shall include access to academic data, student accounts/financial data, and testing data as may be required to verify requirements for the program for which AAWDC is providing funding. Your disclosure of this information to us is voluntary. However, failure to provide consent may negatively affect our ability to provide training assistance under the initiatives that we operate.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), AAWDC may receive a consumer report from one of the consumer credit reporting agencies that verifies any employment information necessary to comply with grantor reporting obligations. Such a consumer report is not used by AAWDC for any other purpose and is not a pre-employment or investigative report as those terms are used in the FCRA. Further, you acknowledge that AAWDC may contact your employer to verify employment information if needed. Your disclosure of employment information to us is voluntary. However, AAWDC must comply with the reporting requirements of our funders. Therefore, we will attempt to obtain the necessary employment data through public records, consumer reports, and the employer in that order.

I hereby grant Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC), its partners, affiliates, and grantors permission to use photographs, videos, and audio recordings of the undersigned participating in AAWDC program-related activities. Additionally, I hereby grant AAWDC permission to use written or video or audio recorded personal testimonies. I understand that AAWDC will use these items solely for the purposes of education, promotion, and public relations.

I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless AAWDC, its successors and assigns, its officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the taking and use of such photographs, video, and audio recordings.

I am of legal age and I have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Release. I understand that I am or maybe giving up certain legal rights by signing this Release.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements will be outlined during the enrollment process. During this process, documents will be collected to verify eligibility. Your failure to provide the requested documents will result in a delay or denial of services.

Initiative Objectives

The goal of workforce development services is to assist job seekers with gaining employment in a high-demand industry or occupation that aligns with one of the following HITCH categories:

• Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Information Technology and Professional Services, Scientific and other Technical Services
• Transportation, Logistics, and Warehousing
• Construction, Trades, and Manufacturing
• Healthcare and Social Assistance

Other occupations and industries may be considered based upon evidence of labor market research by the participant or a bona fide job offer from an employer. 

Career Coaches will connect participants with a Job Developer, workshops, hiring events, and possible funding for an industry-recognized professional certification/credential to assist you with returning to work. 

Participant Responsibilities

You are responsible for maintaining monthly contact with your Career Coach and notifying them of anything that may affect your employment or ability to receive services/training while in the program. If you are not in contact with your Career Coach for more than 90 days during enrollment, you may jeopardize your eligibility for continued services. Additionally, you will work together with AAWDC staff to conduct independent career searches and prepare appropriate marketing tools. 

On you have received employment, it is your responsibility to provide the relevant employment information to an AAWDC staff member. Failure to do so may result in AAWDC contacting your employer without your knowledge.

Length of Participation

Initiative participation varies based on a number of factors, including the employment and training needs of each participant. Generally, a participant's length of participation is less than 12 months. 

Individual Career Coaching

Career Coaches will provide career guidance, including a review of in-demand occupations and industries, and will discuss your service needs to assist you in finding employment.

Individual Employment Plan (IEP)

A Career Coach will support you by partnering with you to create an IEP outlining the services and/or training needed to assist with placing you on your career pathways to act as a guide while you are in the program.

Assessments

Some participants may need to complete interest and aptitude testing to assist you in defining your career path. These assessments are crucial to understanding what drives you and will help your Career Coach better define the services and/or training that will be beneficial to your success. 

Training

After completing an assessment and IEP with a Career Coach, you may be deemed appropriate for training. Please understand that training is not an entitlement and you must comply with the terms and conditions stated below and on your Pre-Training Agreement to qualify.

• Training must cost $10,000 or less and be completed within 12 months
• The certification or credential must represent a high-demand occupation or industry and take into consideration the participant's experience, education, and skills. If your skillset or experience is not a match for the credential, then your training will be denied.
• Training providers and programs must be listed on the Maryland Eligibility Training Provider List (ETPL) website. This website lists approved courses and training vendors eligible to receive workforce development funding.

If you qualify, your Career Coach will walk you through the process to get your training approved.

12 Months Follow-Up After Exit

Participants will be contacted once a month by an AAWDC staff member for an update on employment and other outcomes, as required by our grantors. You agree that AAWDC may contact you by e-mail, telephone, or text message, as AAWDC deems most appropriate.

My signature below indicates that I have been informed of and understand the information contained on this form.

As a recipient of workforce development funds, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) is required to give priority to individuals who meet certain criteria for career services and training opportunities. This form is used to determine your priority position for those services.

Low-Income Guideline, by Family Size

Family Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	More than 6
Income Standard	$12,490	$19,679	$27,011	$33,341	$39,350	$46,020	Add $6,670 per member

By signing below, you are attesting the information above is true and correct to the best of your knowlege.