HISTORY of Hispanic Employment Program (HEP).
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}