Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

Equal Opportunity | WIOA Title I Programs

Know Your Rights. Report Discrimination.

It is against the law for any  WIOA Title I program or recipient of federal financial assistance to discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political beliefs. 

File a Discrimination Complaint

What is WIOA Title I?

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I is a federally funded program that partners with states to provide employment, education, and training services to job seekers and workers. It ensures equal access to workforce opportunities and prohibits discrimination. 

Key Programs

  • Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs: Assist individuals in finding employment through training and career services.
  • Youth Programs: Offer at-risk youth job training, mentorship, and educational support for at-risk youth.
  • One-Stop Career Centers (American Job Centers): These centers serve as local hubs that provide resources for employment and training resources.
A diverse group of people with arms interlocked

Who is Protected?

  • Race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and transgender status)
  • National origin (including limited English proficiency)
  • Age, disability, political affiliation
  • Citizenship status 
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Your Rights

WIOA Title I programs must provide equal access to services, training, and employment opportunities. 

If you face discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint. 

Accessibility & Language Assistance

WIOA Title I recipients must take reasonable steps to provide:

  • Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities.
  • Language assistance for individuals with limited English proficiency.

The services are available at no cost upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discrimination includes unfair treatment based on race, gender, disability, national origin, age, or other protected categories. 

You should file a complaint within 180 days of the incident.  See below for contact information. 

File a Discrimination Complaint

If you believe you have been discriminated against under a WIOA Title I program, you can file a complaint within 180 days with either:

State Equal Opportunity Officer

Bryana L. DelSanto
Equal Opportunity Officer
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
1511 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920
 

Email: bryana.l.delsanto@dlt.ri.gov
Phone: 401-462-8887

U.S. Department of Labor

Director, Civil Rights Center
200 Constitution Ave NW, Room N-4123
Washington, DC 20210

or 

File online: https://www.dol.gov/crc 

Important:

If you submit a complaint to the recipient, wait for either a written Notice of Final Action from them or until 90 days have passed, whichever happens first, before you file with the Civil Rights Center (see address above).

If you do not get a written Notice of Final Action within 90 days of filing your complaint, you can still file a complaint with the Civil Rights Center. However, you must do this within 30 days after the 90-day period ends. This means you have a total of 120 days from the date you initially filed your complaint with the recipient.