The Office of External Enforcement (OEE) supports CRC's responsibility to review, investigate, and make decisions on complaints alleging discrimination. OEE administers and enforces laws that apply to:

  • Recipients of financial assistance under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA);
  • American Job Center partners listed in WIOA Section 121(b) that offer programs or activities through the workforce development system;
  • For disability matters only, State and local governments and other public entities operating programs and activities related to labor and the workforce; and
  • Any recipients of financial assistance from, or programs conducted by, DOL that are not included in the categories above;
  • Federally conducted education and training programs, such as Job Corps.

Examples of covered programs include: WIOA programs for adults, youth, and dislocated workers; Job Corps; Employment and training programs for Native Americans, and migrant and seasonal farm workers; the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) for older workers; Trade Adjustment Assistance Program; and other grant programs administered by DOL agencies. 
The various laws administered by CRC generally prohibit discrimination based on  race, color, religion (including failure to accommodate religious beliefs, observances, or practices), sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin (including limited proficiency in English), age, disability (including failure to provide facilities that are accessible; failure to provide accommodations or modifications of policies or procedures; or equally effective communications), and political affiliation or belief.

In specific circumstances, as noted below, the laws enforced by CRC also prohibit discrimination based on:

  • Citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States (applicable to beneficiaries of WIOA-related programs or other programs or activities offered by a One-Stop partner through the One-Stop system).
  • Participation in a program or activity that receives financial assistance under WIOA Title I.
  • Status as a parent (prohibited in federally conducted education and training programs, such as Job Corps).
  • Retaliation or intimidation for taking any of the following actions:
  • Filing a discrimination complaint.
  • Opposing illegal practices under civil rights law; or
  • Providing information, testifying, or participating in an investigation, a compliance review, a hearing, or any other type of civil rights-related activity.

CRC’s Office of Compliance and Policy (OCAP) reviews programs to make sure they comply with the laws listed above. CRC may review grant applicants for WIOA Title I financial assistance (or other grant applicants) to determine their ability to comply with nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and other laws and may also conduct post-approval compliance reviews of recipients. The reviews may focus on one or more issues within specific programs or activities.

OCAP also reviews Nondiscrimination Plans (NDPs) required under WIOA. Each state’s NDP must be established and implemented by the Governor. The plan must be designed to give a reasonable guarantee that State Programs will comply, and are complying with, the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA. In addition, OCAP develops and publishes regulations, guidance, and provides training and technical assistance, for interested parties.