HISTORY.
On November 5, 1970, President Richard Nixon formally established "The Sixteen
Point Program." The name of the Program highlighted the sixteen major employment
issues presented in the original Presidential Directive. On January 23,1973, the Program
was renamed "Spanish-Speaking Program" to emphasize the bilingual skills, and on
February 28, 1978, the Program was again renamed to what it's known today as
"Hispanic Employment Program (HEP)."
AUTHORITY.
The HEP is an integral part of the Federal government-wide Equal Employment Opportunity
Program under the authority of Executive Order 11478 (1969). Also, the following executive
orders and statutes apply to all Federal employees and provide statutory basis for the
HEP:
- Civil Rights Act 1964 (P.L. 88-352), as amended.
- Executive Order 11246, Sept. 24, 1965.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1972 (P.L. 92-261).
- Title 5, U.S. Code 7201, 5 C.F.R. Part 720-2, Sept.19, 1979.
OBJECTIVES.
The HEP was established to focus specific attention on the needs of Hispanic Americans
in all areas of federal employment. The Program has three overall objectives:
- Eliminate discrimination practices and disparate treatment in the workplace;
- Ensure Hispanic Americans are represented throughout the workforce at all grade levels
and occupations; and
- Provide information on employment, training, and educational opportunities to all
individuals seeking such opportunities.
PROGRAM EMPHASIS.
- HEP works toward enhancing employment opportunities for Hispanic employees and
individuals seeking Federal employment.
- HEP assists agency officials, managers and supervisors in their overall EEO
responsibilities by implementing results oriented practices to ensure "equal
access" to employment opportunities for Hispanic employees and applicants.
- HEP provides employment information, assistance, and referral services to Federal
employees and applicants; and seeks special guidance from other specialists to address
technical questions, issues, and concerns.
- HEP reviews and disseminates workforce profile information on the representation of
Hispanics by grade levels, occupations, leadership positions, and other, at all levels of
government.
- HEP monitors and reports to the legal authorities all prohibited employment practices
which might adversely affect the employment and career advancement opportunities of
Hispanics.
- HEP organizes and sponsors special activities, such as forums, conferences and
workshops, that are employment, training, and educational related in support of the
agency.
- HEP does not seek preferential treatment for Hispanics but rather seeks to ensure
"equal access" to all employment opportunities, e.g., hiring, promotion,
training, education, awards, recognition.
{Harry Salinas, NIMA/HEP Manager for developing and sharing the History,
Authority, Objectives, and Program Emphasis}
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