connecticut department of labor - WIOA
equal opportunity policy statement

It is the policy of the Connecticut Department of Labor to ensure nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all applicants, registrants, claimants, participants, employees, subrecipients and contractors that are beneficiaries of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and State Employment Security Agency (SESA) services and activities without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy, child birth, and related medical conditions, sex stereotyping, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, or political affiliation or belief, or, against any, beneficiary of, applicant to, or participant in the programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, on the basis of the individual’s citizenship status or participation in any WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. As Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor, I am personally committed to assuring that we will act affirmatively to:

• Develop programmatic approaches to the elimination of all unjust exclusionary practices, policies and consequences; and
• Develop mechanisms for swift and judicious resolution of problems of human rights discrimination consistent with our policy, the Governor's executive orders, and other applicable legal requirements.

To assist me in my responsibility, as chief executive officer, for an effective equal opportunity program, Maria L. Lagasse has been designated as State Equal Opportunity Officer, as directed under Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). She will serve as liaison with the Civil Rights Center. I will ensure that the State Equal Opportunity Officer is provided with all agency resources necessary for the execution of the program responsibilities.

The primary mission of the State Equal Opportunity Officer is to promote equal opportunity, and to ensure that all WIOA and SESA programs and activities comply with nondiscrimination requirements, policies and practices.

For further information regarding this policy, please contact Ms. Maria L. Lagasse, State Equal Opportunity Officer, at (860) 263-6732.