California Department of Industrial Relations Invests $35 Million in Workers' Rights Outreach
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has announced a $34.9 million investment to continue and expand the California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP). This initiative, launched in 2021, partners with community-based organizations (CBOs) to inform at-risk workers about their rights and workplace protections. The funding aims to reach more workers, particularly in under-resourced regions like the Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, and Imperial County, through direct outreach, community events, multilingual resources, and training. CWOP's 'trusted-messenger' model utilizes individuals deeply connected within communities to overcome barriers such as fear or misinformation that might prevent workers from accessing state resources. Since its inception, CWOP has grown from 61 community organizations to over 100 grantees, reaching more than 2 million workers and employers with information provided in 42 languages, including 11 Indigenous languages. The announcement coincides with Labor Rights We... 
