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| 17.700 WOMEN'S BUREAU |
| (Women's Bureau) |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| WOMEN'S BUREAU, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Public Law 66-259; 29 U.S.C. 11-16. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To improve the status of wage-earning women, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, advance their opportunities for profitable employment, and to provide employers with more alternatives to meet their labor needs. Through its Technology and Strengthening the Family Initiatives, worker shortage, financial security, workplace flexibility, and Corporate Mentoring, the Bureau works to promote an environment that is responsive to the demands and challenges of the 21st Century workforce; it establishes and maintains linkage with national, community and faith-based organizations, business and industry, trade unions, research foundations, academic, and Federal, State, and local government agencies for cooperative projects that address the employment and supportive service needs of women. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Advisory Services and Counseling. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Technical information, including program models and advisory services that increase opportunities for women to plan for their economic and retirement security; aid in the development of training and educational programs designed to increase employment and earning opportunities; and support the establishment of programs that encourage a balance between home and work-life through flexible policies and programs. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Any individual or group located in the United States or its territories. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Individuals (particularly women) and groups. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| None. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Requests for information or advice may be made to the appropriate Department of Labor, Women's Bureau regional office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, or to the Headquarters Office listed under the Information Contacts section of this program. The Women's Bureau does not provide financial assistance to individuals. |
| Award Procedure |
| Not applicable. |
| Deadlines |
| None. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| None. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| None. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| None. |
| Reports |
| None. |
| Audits |
| None. |
| Records |
| None. |
| Account Identification |
| 16-0165-0-1-505. |
| Obligations |
| (Salaries and Expenses) FY 07 $9,574,000; FY 08 est. $9,666,000, and FY 09 est. $10,237,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Not applicable. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| During Fiscal Year 2007, the Women's Bureau continued to support and develop on-going projects and also designed and implemented several major projects in its effort to promote an environment that is responsive to the demands and challenges of the 21st century workforce. These targeted initiatives were designed to enhance opportunities for women under the Department's goals of A Competitive Workforce, A Prepared Workforce, and Strengthened Economic Protections. The following examples are highlights of the Bureau's accomplishments: A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE -- The Women's Bureau continued its Flex-Options for Women project, which started in January 2004. The project links corporate mentors who have experience in developing flexible workplace policies and procedures with women business owners who want to develop flexible workplace policies and procedures. A PREPARED WORKFORCE -- The Bureau's Working Women in Transition (WWIT) program continued its efforts in support of women who are making a transition in their work lives. Building on the best practices of Better Jobs! projects, WWIT uses the Bureau's unique high-touch and high-tech strategy that combines online and face-to-face resources. Participants have access to online mentors (e-mentoring), online employment tools, and distance learning opportunities while working with local service providers. A SECURE WORKFORCE -- Wi$eUp is a financial education demonstration project targeted to Generation X women ages 22 to 35. The centerpiece of the program is an eight-module curriculum offered online, as well as in a classroom setting in educational institutions and other organizations. In the online program, the curriculum is complemented by an "Ask the Experts" feature, which permits participants to send questions by e-mail to volunteers with financial expertise. Another feature available to participants in both the online and classroom-based versions is a series of monthly one-hour teleconference calls with featured speakers and a question and answer session. The Women's Bureau also continues to host financial security and education events throughout the country. OUTREACH -- Through its National and Regional offices, web page, speaking engagements, and publications, the Women's Bureau continued to provide up-to-date, consistent, and relevant information and resources to employees, employers, and interested constituents on a variety of work-related topics, including job options, training and employment, flexible work schedules, and women's employment-related statistics. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| The Women's Bureau regularly updates its website to include new as well as on-going programs, projects and initiatives, utilizing user-friendly options to increase visibility for frequently-visited webpages. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| Contact the nearest Department of Labor, Women's Bureau regional office in Appendix IV of the Catalog listed under the Office of the Secretary. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Director, Women's Bureau, Office of the Secretary, Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-6710. Contact: Office of Information and Support Services, Women's Bureau, Room S3305, Office of the Secretary, Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-6710. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.dol.gov/wb/ |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 16.101, Equal Employment Opportunity; 17.303, Wage and Hour Standards; 29.001, Clearinghouse Services, Civil Rights Discrimination Complaints; 30.001, Employment Discrimination_Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Not applicable. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Not applicable. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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