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.

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