Welcome to News and Notes, our online journal of selected articles related to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM) celebrations, events, and topics of interest to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) community.

National Institutes of Health Targets Workforce Recruitment Program

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) targets the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) to refer students with disabilities for employment at federal worksites throughout the United States (U.S.). The WRP is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), with over 20 federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), participating annually. Each year, approximately 1,500 students are interviewed in January and February. Information about recruited students is entered into a database that is shared with participating federal agencies. Participating agencies place qualified persons with disabilities in summer and permanent positions. The database is available on CD-ROM.

In 2004, NIH hired eight WRP summer students. Three remain and are now in the Student Training Employment Program (STEP). "Our supervisor focuses on our abilities, and it makes all the difference," one student remarked.

Shawn Words

Diana Kim

Shannon Scarboro

Shawn Words, Diana Kim, and Shannon Scarboro consider themselves a very fortunate trio; you can see it in their smiles! Shawn, Diana, and Shannon started at NIH last summer in the Office of the Director, Office of Administration, Office of Logistics and Acquisitions Operations (OLAO) .

"The Workforce Recruitment coordinator at Montgomery College told me about this opportunity; it has turned out to be a really interesting job. I like communicating with customers, the buyers and learning more about NIH. At school I am interested in Nursing so it's really great working at NIH. I enjoy the cheery, family atmosphere ." - Shawn Words

Aleta Allmond, who is Shawn, Diana, and Shannon's supervisor, said, "I have found that the WRP students take great pride in their work and are very anxious to learn their jobs."

The NIH Workforce Recruitment Program is on target!

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NIH WRP INTERVIEWERS

There are 73 interviewers nationwide that were trained by the DOL as WRP recruiters.

The NIH has two, both employed by the IC Services Division of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM). They were trained as interviewers for the DHHS WRP. Both encourage NIH participation.

Employers get a resource to fill vacancies and internships in their organizations; access to all applicants categorized by school, state, or major; flexibility to evaluate summer interns for permanent staffing needs; and students who are pre-screened in face-to-face interviews with federal recruiters.

Sharrell Butler, Team Leader , in the NIH OEODM's IC Services Division, conducted WRP interviews at Bowie State University, Iona College, Ramapo College, Monmouth College, and Rutgers University. Ms. Butler proclaims, "WRP is an excellent program."

Rosemary Pettis , EEO Specialist in the NIH OEODM's IC Services Division, conducted WRP interviews with 35 students at the University of California, Berkeley; California State University, East Bay; and San Francisco State University. Ms. Pettis has served as a WRP program coordinator and recruiter for over 20 years. The WRP benefits both college students with disabilities and employers as employers fill positions with qualified temporary or permanent employees.

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Lawrence N. Self

It's an exciting and challenging time for us in OEODM. We welcome the challenges and changes that lie ahead.

One important challenge and change is the new Management Directive 715 (MD-715). MD-715 may sound like a highway route, when in fact it is a new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reporting tool. This Directive requires agencies to implement the model EEO program.  The NIH reports on the Affirmative Employment Programs designed to bring the level of participation of all minorities and persons with disabilities into parity with relevant labor force indices. All over campus, briefings are on-going. Read the NIH MD-715 Report on our website.

An important component of MD-715 is the hiring of persons with disabilities. Much of this issue of EEO News & Notes highlights our accomplishments and challenges in the WRP. Read about this exciting program in this month's feature articles. Be sure to read about Who's Who in the WRP. Commendations to Ms. Diane Frasier, Acting Director, OLAO, and her staff, for participating in this exciting program. Kudos to the National Institutes of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Director, Dr. Stephen Katz, and the NIAMS staff who led in NIH WRP participation. This year, we expect that the NIH will redouble our efforts to employ these qualified persons by exceeding the eight hires from last year.

Customer Service is the hallmark of the new OEODM.  NIH EEO Specialists determine their performance goals in customer service. The Division of Program Evaluation developed an online survey, which is attached to emails from OEODM staff. We welcome your feedback.

We are making strides to respond efficiently to the myriad of changes and challenges that meet us. EEO News & Notes will help you keep informed and involved. Let us hear from you.

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If you like, feel free to comment by going
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Thanks and have a great day!"