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FY01 Plan for AAPI Activities
(A PDF version of the FY01 Plan for AAPI Activities is also available [93KB, 31pp.] )
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White House Initiative on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Year 2001 Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part II: FISCAL YEAR 2001 PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends. The Agency's programs and services educate the public on environmental factors that impact human health and ecosystems, and assure compliance with federal environmental requirements. Whenever possible, EPA seeks to partner with communities, businesses, state and local government, and other stakeholders so that they can make informed decisions about issues that may affect their local environment, health and livelihood.
EPA is working to implement the goals of Executive Order 13125, to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). The Agency's FY01 Plan outlines a broad range of objectives and strategies, to be implemented both nationally and regionally, to address the public health and environmental needs of AAPIs.
EPA's overarching, long-term strategy is to promote opportunities for community, economic development, education, and employment partnerships. Using this approach, the Agency is committed to working with AAPI communities to identify and address their specific environmental and public health-related concerns.
EPA's approach to responding to the needs of AAPIs reflects lessons learned in a series of listening sessions with AAPI communities across the country. The following list highlights some of EPA's activities that support the strategic goals of the White House Initiative on AAPIs.
1. Institutionalize Agency-wide mechanisms to address AAPI issues.
- Establish an Agency-wide special outreach initiatives workgroup to address the needs of under served populations, including AAPIs.
- Develop an Agency-wide communications strategy to reach out to AAPI communities, which includes the development of an AAPI Web site to serve as an information clearinghouse and to solicit feedback on EPA's strategies..
- Track racial/ethnic data in the grant and contracts management information systems.
2. Improve research and data collection on the AAPI population and its sub-populations.
- Work with federal, state, and local entities to collect information on the percentage of migrant farm workers that are AAPI.
- Work with other federal agencies to address food consumption issues that adversely impact AAPI sub populations.
3. Promote AAPI access to government services.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive list of community groups and other non-governmental organizations serving the AAPI community to provide outreach on future federal assistance and procurement opportunities.
- Ensure equal access and fairness in the award of research funds.
4. Develop and/or enhance programs and initiatives directed at the unmet needs of AAPIs.
- Improve communication about Agency activities at sites in AAPI communities.
- Develop a voluntary partnership program to help businesses reduce the risk of chemicals to workers, communities, and the environment.
- Help families and communities make informed decisions concerning environmental exposures that may affect their health.
5. Increase participation of AAPIs in government-sponsored training programs.
- Provide training opportunities that provide needed skills for AAPIs to reduce risks and improve the level of environmental and public health protections in their communities.
- Provide training opportunities that concentrate on the skills Agency AAPI employees need to address future Agency requirements and that provide career advancement opportunities.
6. Ensure adequate representation of AAPIs in the departmental workforce and its operations.
- Establish ties with community based Asian studies programs at U.S. colleges and Universities to improve recruitment of AAPIs.
- Improve data collection with respect to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
- Improve AAPI employee representation in all of the Agency's programs and Regional operations, through such mechanisms as Diversity Action Plans.
7. Increase outreach to AAPI communities to establish public-private partnerships that will promote appropriate linguistically and culturally competent services.
- Develop and implement an Agency-wide protocol to assure the availability of linguistically and culturally sensitive information, program and services
- Cooperate with other government agencies to establish a vertical partnership between federal, state, and local agencies to discuss and identify responsibilities and implement actions to address AAPI issues.
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
FISCAL YEAR 2001 PLAN
(last revised 8/15/00)
STRATEGIC GOAL #1: Institutionalize an agency-wide mechanism to address AAPI issues
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Establish a Minority Community Initiatives Committee to promote and coordinate environmental and public health-related outreach, economic development, community partnerships, educational and employment opportunities, and other activities related to underserved populations (e.g, AAPIs, Hispanics, etc.) | a. Identify representatives from Offices
and Regions as the main points of contact; gather additional
stakeholder feedback as necessary b. Monitor the implementation of AAPI strategies and other minority initiatives by designated Offices and Regions |
a. December 2000 b. Ongoing |
a1. Set up committee a2. Identify members b. Meet periodically and review progress of activities |
Office of Human Resources Judy King (202) 564-3310 |
| 2. Develop an agency-wide Communications Strategy to reach out to AAPI communities | a1. Develop a Translations Protocol
(guidance document) for translating general outreach materials
into Asian and Pacific Islander languages a2. Develop an AAPI Outreach document for distribution to communities, including strategies for community partnerships a3. Develop a resource list of AAPI media contacts |
a. May 2001 | a1. Translations protocol developed a2. AAPI Outreach document completed a3. Media list completed |
Office of Human Resources Marla Hendriksson (202) 564-1897 |
| 3. Begin tracking racial/ethnic data in grant and contracts management information systems | a1. Include AAPI and other minority
data in the Integrated Grants Management System a2. Include AAPI and other minority data in the Integrated Contracts Management System |
a1. October 2000 a2. October 2000 |
a. Begin tracking AAPI and other minority data in grants and contracts | Office of Grants and Debarment Marty Monell (202) 564-5295 Office of Acquisitions Management Judy Davis (202) 564-4310 |
| 4. Develop and manage an AAPI website to serve as an information clearinghouse for AAPIs and an outlet for continued feedback on EPA's strategies and activities related to AAPIs | a1. Develop website for AAPI information a2. Update and maintain website with the most current information b. Host an AAPI web conference to gather community feedback on environmental, public health, and other AAPI-related issues |
a1. May 2001 a2. Ongoing b. May 2001 |
a. Website launched and maintained b. Web conference held; feedback gathered |
Office of Human Resources Marla Hendriksson (202) 564-1897 |
| 5. Increase AAPI awareness of agency-wide grant and contracting opportunities | a. Begin providing technical assistance
for prospective grant applicants, and encourage the use
of grant-writing tutorials as part of the Grant Compliance
Initiative b. Develop outreach materials for AAPI businesses, community groups, and other organizations serving the AAPI community to increase awareness of grant and contracting opportunities |
a. September 2001 b. Ongoing |
a. Increase in the number of grants and contracts to AAPI organizations and/or AAPI-serving organizations | Office of Grants and Debarment Marty Monell (202) 564-5295 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 6. Enrich the diversity in the pool of eligible candidates for employment, participation in workgroups, special assignments, etc. in the Regional offices | a. Evaluate the selection processes
for new employee hires, for Regional workgroups, special
assignments, etc. b. Identify activities to recruit a diverse pool of eligible individuals |
a. Ongoing | a. Work with EEO Managers, HR, Diversity Initiatives Steering Committee and Special Emphasis Program Manager to promote diversity in all Regional workforce arenas | Office of Human Resources Judy King (202) 564-3310 |
| 7. Increase the representation and participation of AAPIs in Federal Advisory Committees | a. Compile a list of known AAPI organizations
and contacts in a resource directory b. Actively market the AAPI Resource Directory within EPA |
a. December 2000 b. September 2001 |
a. Draft directory completed b. Increase in the number of AAPIs participating in FACAs |
Office of Cooperative Environmental
Management Tim Sherer, Program Manager 202-564-5984 Office of Environmental Justice Marva King, Senior Program Analyst 202-564-2599 |
| 8. Increase dialogue with regional Asian American Leaders | a1. Provide Asian American leaders
with spectrum of urban environmental issues impacting
their constituents a2. Work with AAPI Leaders to translate environmental information for use in Asian language media a3. Collect and further distribute articles for use by other Regions |
a. March 2001 | a. Information disseminated to community | Region 1 James Younger, Director (OCR) and Suzanne Bairos, AAPI Program Manager (617) 918-1892 Region 3 Cynthia Yu-Robinson AAPI Program Manager (215) 814-5557 |
| 9. Conduct marketing outreach activities to universities and colleges in various EPA Regions with a high population of AAPIs to promote diversity in recruitment | a. Assess the demographics of local
colleges and universities b. Talk with Partners In Equality about targeting schools with AAPI populations |
a. July 2001 b. September 2001 |
a. Review of local information b. Meeting with Partners in Equality |
Region 1 James Younger, Director (OCR) and Suzanne Bairos, AAPI Program Manager (617) 918-1892 Region 3 Cynthia Yu-Robinson AAPI Program Manager (215) 814-5557 |
STRATEGIC GOAL #2: Improve research and data collection on the AAPI population and its sub-populations
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Scope the possibility of convening a future National Environmental Justice Interagency Roundtable on AAPIs to identify environmental and public health-related issues that warrant more research and data collection | a. Establish a dialogue with federal
agencies and other stakeholders b1. Convene an interagency and key stakeholders planning meeting b2. Determine next steps |
a. October 2000 b. October 2000 (resources permitting) |
a. Key players and other stakeholders
identified b. Lead agency (or agencies) and possible resource needs and commitments identified |
Office of Environmental Justice Danny Gogal (202) 564-2597 |
| 2. Establish a quarterly status report schedule to get updated reports on the status of OPPTS AAPIs from OCR and/or OPPTS Human Resources(HR) staff | a. Develop a quarterly status report schedule with the OPPTS OCR SEPM and/or OPPTS HR staff | a. March 2001 | a. Start receiving updated status reports on OPPTS AAPIs from OCR and/or OPPTS | Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Jeff Billingslea (OPP) (703)308-1838; Patricia Keitt (OPPT) (202) 260-5678; and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 3. Work with other federal/state/local entities to collect information on the percentage of migrant and other farm workers that are AAPIs | a1. Collect info. from the Regions/States
on the % of migrant and other farm workers that are AAPIs a2. Compile a report on the % migrant and other farm workers that are AAPIs by Region and/or State a3. EPA/DOL funded Natl Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) |
a. September 2001 | a1. Information collected a2. Report compiled a3. Draft survey developed |
Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Ana Maria Osorio (OPP) (703) 305-7891; Tom Laverty (OPPT) (202) 260-0768; and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 4. Establish a working relationship with USDA, FDA and other gov't entities to address pesticide and food consumption issues that may adversely impact AAPIs | a1. Form a cross-agency working group
to address AAPI issues a2. Identify key pesticide and food consumption issues that adversely affect AAPIs a3. Consider future research and data collection activities with cross-agency cooperation to address AAPI issues (e.g., enhance the USDA food consumption survey; develop an FDA food survey on imported food) a4. Identify other federal agencies to address similar cross-agency AAPI issues |
a. September 2001 | a1. EPA/FDA/USDA workgroup formed a2. Issues identified a3. AAPI activities identified |
Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Contact - TBD |
| 5. Work with other EPA offices to assure that the monitoring plan developed for priority Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicants (PBTs) reflects baselines affecting subsistence fisher populations, including AAPIs | a. Include AAPIs in subsistence fisher population group definition | a. September 2001 | a. Inclusion of AAPI subpopulations in definition of subsistence fisher population group | Office of Pollution Prevention &
Toxics Tom Murray (202) 260-1876 |
| 6. Continue studies on the coral reef ecosystem integrity in the Pacific islands | a. Award Research Grants for Integrating
Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options
with Watershed-based activities in the Tropical Pacific
Islands and the Societal Costs of Poor Land-use Practices b. Award Research Grant for Development of Environmental Assessment, Mitigation and Restoration Techniques for Coral Reefs |
a. October 2000 b. October 2000 |
a. Research Grant awarded to Universities
of Guam and Hawaii b. Research Grant awarded to University Guam |
Office of Research and Development/NCER Barbara Levinson (202) 564-6911 |
STRATEGIC GOAL #3: Promote AAPI access to governmental services
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Develop a comprehensive list of community groups and other non-governmental organizations serving the AAPI community | a. Work with Programs, regions and state offices to compile a list of groups | a. January 2001 | a. Contact list completed | Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 2. Identify currently available government, non-profit, and private resources for providing non- English speaking members of targeted AAPI communities with access to toxic chemical and pesticide safety help in their language. Identify possible new mechanisms for meeting resource and translation needs to non-Englishz speaking members of AAPI communities | a. Complete inventory of existing public resources (within EPA, other Agencies, and in the non-profit arena) providing AAPI communities with health and safety information. | a. September 2001 | a. Inventory completed | Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Charles Franklin (OPP) (703) 305-5017; Tom Laverty (OPPT) (202) 260-0768); and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 3. Continue to manage the ORD Grant Fellowship and Scholarship Programs to ensure equal access and fairness in the awarding of research funds | a. Evaluate the peer review process of proposals | a. Ongoing | a. Grants with the University of Guam and the University of Hawaii | Office of Research and Development/NCER Barbara Levinson (202) 564-6911 |
| 4. Develop and maintain a comprehensive list of community groups and other non-governmental organizations serving the AAPI community to provide outreach on future procurement opportunities with EPA | a. Work with programs, regions, and
state offices to compile a list of groups b. Periodically update the list and send information regularly |
a. January 2001 b. Ongoing |
a. List completed | Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 5. Hold a forum for AAPI businesses and other organizations to increase their awareness of contracting opportunities | a. Host an AAPI Counseling Day | a. May 2001 | a. Forum held | Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 6. Develop a communication strategy for outreach to Special Emphasis Communities, including AAPI communities | a. Identify AAPI subpopulations at
risk from pesticide related exposure or otherwise in need
of basic pesticide health and safety information. Determine
special factors affecting appropriate dissemination approaches
to these communities b. Finalize strategy and procure resources for FY2002 implementation |
a. April 2001 b. July 2001 |
a. Strategy document finalized b. Necessary resources allocated to support implementation |
Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Charles Franklin (OPP) (703) 305-5017; Tom Laverty (OPPT) (202) 260-0768; Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611; and ongoing support from AAPI Special Emphasis Managers |
| 7. Utilize the Translations and Interpretative Service contract available through GSA | a1. Utilize contract to provide document
translation for various Water related issues a2. Utilize the contract to provide multilingual interpretation services for Water related meetings and such |
a. September 2001 | a1. Document availability on various
water issues a2. AAPI participation in meetings |
Office of Water Debbie Shigenaga, (202) 260-1601 |
| 8. Promote Region 3 activities through Internet links with website commonly used by AAPIs | a. Provide AAPI web site hosts with
the Region 3 web link b. Address benefits of accessing Region 3 information through web site |
a. October 2001 b. January 2001 |
a. Work with Information Resources
Management Branch to advertise the web link b. Draft letter to AAPI web link hosts |
Region 3 Cynthia Burrows, EEO Mgr. (215) 814-5328 |
| 9. Increase AAPI awareness of grant and contracting opportunities in Region 7 | a. Disseminate grant and contract information to AAPI communities | a. May 2001, Ongoing |
a. An increased number of grants and contracts to AAPI organizations or AAPI-serving organizations | Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
STRATEGIC GOAL #4: Develop and/or enhance programs and initiatives directed at the unmet needs of AAPIs
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Increase dialogue with AAPI communities to identify toxic chemical and pesticide-related outreach needs, and develop strategies to address these needs | a1. Conduct AAPI outreach meetings
a2. Report findings from meetings to management a3. Develop a mechanism for feedback |
a. September 2001 | a. Reports on AAPI outreach meetings given to management and announced in OPPTS Weekly Reports | Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Terri Stowe (OPP) (703) 305-6117; Tom Laverty (OPPT) (202) 260-0768; and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 2. Reduce priority PBT (Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant) exposure of sensitive subpopulations of women and children and subsistence and recreational fishers, including AAPIs, with outreach and education (e.g., fish advisories) | a. Include AAPIs in risk communication outreach efforts of the PBT initiative | a. September 2001 (proposed - pending OD/DAA support) |
a. Increase in the number of fish advisories specifically aimed at AAPI populations | Office of Pollution Prevention &
Toxics Tom Murray (202) 260-1876 |
| 3. Improve communication of clean-up activities in all areas affected by hazardous waste sites | a1. Provide outreach to all communities
a2. Translate materials (e.g. fact sheets, advisories, and posted warning signs) into AAPI languages |
a. Ongoing | a1. Convene public meetings a2. Documents translated |
Office of Solid Waste & Emergency
Response Organizational Management and Integrity Staff Laurie May, Director (202) 260-4610 |
| 4. Increase dialogue with AAPI communities to identify solid waste outreach needs and develop strategies to meet address these needs | a1. Conduct a customer survey under
the Agency's Customer Service ICR and/or a2. Form an AAPI focus group |
a. As resources permit |
a. Customer survey and/or AAPI focus group conducted | Office of Solid Waste & Emergency
Response Organizational Management and Integrity Staff Laurie May, Director (202) 260-4610 |
| 5. Increase outreach regarding innovative technologies used to characterize hazardous waste sites and to help clean up sites | a1. Consider translating technical
documents into AAPI languages a2. Improve the distribution of technical documents to AAPI businesses |
a. As resources permit |
a. Documents translated | Office of Solid Waste & Emergency
Response Organizational Management and Integrity Staff Laurie May, Director (202) 260-4610 |
| 6. Prevent and address releases from underground storage tanks (UST) | a1. Clean-up leaking UST contamination
a2. Promote compliance with EPA and State requirements for leak detection and the upgrading, replacing, or closure of substandard tanks |
a. Ongoing | a. Reduce or control the risk to human health and the environment at UST sites | Office of Solid Waste & Emergency
Response Organizational Management and Integrity Staff Laurie May, Director (202) 260-4610 |
| 7. Address and respond to areas affected by hazardous waste contamination | a1. Clean-up and provide technical
assistance on hazardous waste sites a2. Promote safe management of hazardous waste |
a. Ongoing | a. Reduce or control the risk to human health and the environment at hazardous waste sites. | Office of Solid Waste & Emergency
Response Organizational Management and Integrity Staff Laurie May, Director (202) 260-4610 |
| 8. Provide guidance to recipients of Federal financial assistance who administer education programs or activities and promote consistent and adequate enforcement of Title IX by the Federal agencies | a. Publish the Final Common Rule in the Federal Register | a. October 2000 | a. Elimination of sex discrimination in education programs or activities that receive financial assistance from Federal government under Title IX | Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 9. Provide guidance to EPA, OCR on processing and investigating Title VI complaints and to provide guidance to recipients of Federal financial assistance on Title VI obligations | a1. Review the public comments received
on the draft Title VI guidance documents (Title VI Guidance
for EPA Assistance Recipients Administering Environmental
Permitting Programs and Guidance for Investigating Title
VI Administrative Complaints Challenging Permits), especially
comments pertinent to AAPIs a2. Finalize the Title VI guidance documents |
a. September 2001 | a. Decrease in the number of complaints filed | Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 10. Develop an agenda to meet the business needs of the AAPI community | a1. Host an annual Asian American and
Pacific Islander Business Counseling Day a2. Provide a survey during the session and maintain a list of contractors that attend sessions for follow-up a3. Provide one-on-one sessions |
a. On-going | a. AAPI business needs identified, addressed | Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 11. Develop a voluntary partnership program to help businesses integrate environmental concerns with everyday decision-making on cost and performance to reduce the risk of chemicals to workers, communities, and the environment | a. Develop outreach mechanisms to educate AAPIs working at nail/manicure salons about the risk of chemicals used for their daily job routine | a. September 2001 | a1. Number of salon owners/ workers
attending EPA workshop a2. Number of salons implementing EPA recommendations a3. Number of radio broadcasts or newspaper ads on the subject |
Region 6 Compliance Assurance, Enforcement Division, and External Affairs Contact person - TBD |
| 12. Help families and communities make informed decisions concerning environmental exposures which may cause illnesses in their children | a. Develop outreach mechanism to educate
AAPI parents and children about the risk of pesticide
chalk, indoor radon, contaminated lead-based paint, second-hand
smoke, and indoor air problems b. Train lay health educators to conduct this outreach in their communities (similar to promotoras concept in the border) |
a. August 2001 b. Ongoing |
a1. Number of families receiving brochures
on these issues a2. Number of radio broadcasts or newspaper ads on the subject b1. Number of lay heath educators trained b2. Number of families reached by lay health educators |
Region 6 Multimedia and Permitting Division and External Affairs Contact persons - TBD |
| 13. Address the problem of sanitary/sewage overflow at some community villages/apartments | a1. Conduct site visit to determine
the cause of the problem a2. Work with City of Houston to seek solutions to the problem a3. Communicate with the villagers on EPA findings and possible solutions |
a. September 2001 | a. Number of overflows that have been eliminated or reduced | Region 6 Compliance Assurance, Enforcement Division, and External Affairs Contact persons - TBD |
| 14. Educate the AAPI community on possible health risks due to their food consumption patterns | a1. Educate the community on the risk
of consuming imported products which often are not regulated
a2. Help AAPI community better understand and balance the potential risks from seafood consumption with its significant health benefits and cultural significant a3. Educate the community on the danger of using imported lead-glazed pottery |
a. August 2001 | a. Disseminate food consumption information through local AAPI community network | Region 6 Multimedia and Permitting Division; Water Quality Division; and External Affairs Contact persons - TBD |
| 15. Identify AAPI populations and subpopulations in Region 7 and target areas which may have environmental and public health concerns | a. Gather population data and analyze
with the use of GIS b. Choose the top three highest density population areas and conduct "Listening Tours" c. Create a Region 7 AAPI environmental needs assessment document |
a. October 2000 b. March 2001 c. May 2001 |
a. Analysis of AAPI populations in
Region 7 completed b. Listening Tours conducted c. AAPI Community Environmental Needs Assessment Report completed |
Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
STRATEGIC GOAL #5: Increase participation of AAPIs in government-sponsored training programs
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Continue to build upon existing Cooperative Agreements in place with EPA/ORIA University of Nevada Las Vegas Student Internship program | a. Continue to allow 1 FTE to focus on this item | a. September 2001 | a. Placement of Interns in OAR program | Office of Air and Radiation/ORIA Andrea Stafford (702) 798-2449 a nd Craig Gill (202) 564-9358 |
| 2. Provide training opportunities that will concentrate on the skills that AAPI employees need to advance in their careers | a1. Evaluate the AAPI workforcesurvey
and identify the training needs for AAPI employees a2. Identify the trainers for the identified training needs a3. Arrange the training |
a1. May 2001 a2. September 2001 |
a. Increased number of AAPI employees attending these training workshops | Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 3. Increase all employees' understanding of Title VII Complaints Resolution process | a. Provide training on Title VII to all employees, including AAPIs | a. Ongoing | a1. Reduction in the number of and
average processing time of formal complaints a2. Increase in the informal complaint resolution rates a3. Early participation in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program a4. Informed decisions by those employees contemplating filing a complaint under Title VII of the CRA of 1964 as amended |
Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 4. Encourage AAPIs to apply for government sponsored training programs and for OPPTS to designate slots to AAPIs based on the % AAPIs in each Office | a. Encourage AAPIs to apply for government
sponsored training programs through AAPI focus group meetings
and e-mails announcements b. Brief and/or send a written report to managers on % AAPIs in their Office and request that they set aside training slots for that % of AAPI employees c. Monitor progress of AAPI participation in training programs |
a. September 2001 b. Ongoing c. Ongoing |
a. Report of % of AAPIs in each OPPTS
Office b. Conduct briefing and/or submit a report for managers on the training needs of AAPIs, % AAPIs in their Offices; request for training slots to be held for that % of AAPI employees c. Report on progress of AAPI participation in training programs |
Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Terri Stowe (OPP) (703) 305-6117; Anne Kim (OPPT) (202) 260-1273; and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 5. Set up IDP training, KSA workshops, resume-writing workshops in Region 7 | a. Coordinate with Human Resources to put on the training sessions and workshops | a. December 2000 | a. All Region 7 AAPIs attend all three sessions | Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
| 6. Encourage AAPI employees in Region 7 to participate in EPA-designed training for mid-level competencies | a. Show AAPIs the benefits of attending these training | a. Ongoing | a. Measured increased numbers of AAPIs attending training | Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
STRATEGIC GOAL #6: Ensure adequate representation of AAPIs in the departmental workforce and its operations
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Focus efforts on increasing the representation of AAPIs in the applicant pool | a. Continue to target recruiting primarily
through AAPI organizations, recruitment fairs, and contacts
in universities with large AAPI populations b. Develop a jointly coordinated recruitment outreach strategy (including standard operating procedures) with the Office of Human Resources (OHR), Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and HQ's program offices |
a. Ongoing b. May 2001 |
a. Vacancy announcements distributed
b. Communications strategy and procedures implemented |
Office of Human Resources Judith King (202) 260-3310 Office of Human Resources Don Sadler (OCS) (202) 260-3333 |
| 2. Improve relevance of Federal data on race and ethnicity with respect to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders | a. Assess feasibility of disaggregating AAPI reporting into two categories: Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) | a. April 2001 | a. Decision to disaggregate AAPI reporting | Office of Human Resources Paulette Ellison (IMSD) (202) 260-3424 |
| 3. Continue to raise the awareness of the diversity of EPA employees in order to create a productive and harmonious workplace environment | a. Work with the offices and regions
to observe the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage
Month b. Work with the Asian Pacific American Council to organize diversity programs and activities |
a. May 2001 b. Ongoing |
a. Number of employees attending Asian Heritage Month Activities other than Asians | Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 4. Promote the advancement of AAPI employees to senior grades and management positions | a. Encourage API employees to participate
in EPA-designed training for mid-level and leadership
competencies b. Set up IDP training, KSA (knowledge, skills, abilities) workshops, resume-writing workshops c. Identify champions and mentors for APIs, approach them for support of career advancement goals. Mentor relationships to be written into individual IDPs of APIs d. Establish informal 'buddy' system of support by API peers, for ad hoc assistance on writing assignments, etc. |
a. On-going b. At least one per quarter for first 3 quarters of FY 2001 c. June 2001 d. July 2001 |
a. Increase in the number of AAPIs
in management positions b. Training conducted c. List of champions completed |
Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 5. Assess the quality of work life of AAPI employees in EPA | a. Evaluate the quality and relevance
of the results from survey conduct in FY00 b. Report development of the findings of the survey to senior management and provide recommendations |
a. December 2000 b. May 2001 |
a. Report on Quality of Work Life b. Implementation of report recommendations |
Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 6. Institutionalize best management practices for career enhancement (for internal use only) | a1. Promote AAPI participation in management
training, including IDP and resume writing, interviewing
skills, presentation skills, interpersonal and management
skills, communication skills, assertiveness training a2. Encourage APIs to plan for longer-term professional training like graduate courses and degrees |
a. On-going | a. Number of AAPIs participating in training activities | Office of Civil Rights Versha Kumar, AAPI National Program Manager (202) 564-7283 |
| 7. Continue to build upon AAPI representation as Special Emphasis coordinators in OAR programs | a. Continue to have 2 FTEs presently focus on OAR-wide Diversity efforts. One serves on OAR's Diversity Action Plan Workgroup. One is located at OAR's Ann Arbor, MI lab and the other is in the Radiation and Indoor Environment lab at Las Vegas, NV | a. Ongoing | a. Increase FTE from two to three AAPI Program Managers in OAR by Fall of 2001 | Office of Air and Radiation Human Resources Division Barbara Pabotoy (202) 564-7421 and Jerome King (202) 564-7429 |
| 8. Focus efforts to increase the recruitment of AAPIs for the ECO Intern Program | a. Encourage recruitment into the ECO program at AAPI-serving institutions and organizations | a. September 2001 | a. Increase in the diversity of the applicant pool | Office of Environmental Justice Renee Goins ECO Intern Manager (202) 564-2598 |
| 9. Enrich the diversity of the OPPTS workforce | a. Develop and institute a hiring plan to evaluate and address areas of underrepresentation in the OPPTS workforce | a. March 2001 | a. Increase in the diversity of the applicant pool | Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Terri Stowe (OPP) (703) 305-6117; Anne Kim (OPPT) (202) 260-1273; and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 10. Focus efforts to increase the recruitment of AAPI employees into the OSWER workforce | a. Disseminate job announcements, particularly
administrative employment vacancies, to AAPI networks
b. Continue our long-term recruitment and educational partnership with the University of Arizona. c. Continue our participation in a multi-cultural Career Fair sponsored by the University of Maryland, College Park, and a similar fair at the Baltimore County campus. d. Participate in an annual conference for AAPIs. |
a. October 2000 b. September 2001, ongoing c. Ongoing d. October 2001 |
a. Increase in the pool of AAPI applicants | Office of Solid Waste & Emergency
Response Organizational Management and Integrity Staff Laurie May, Director (202) 260-4610 |
| 11. Involve groups and institutions in the recruitment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) for Office of Water vacancies | a1. Identify AAPI organizations and
educational institutions with AAPI populations and establish
mechanisms for informing them of Office of Water vacancies
a2. Target these contacts in all FY2001 recruitment efforts |
a. March 2001 | a1. List of AAPI-related contacts a2. Number of AAPI applicants |
Office of Water Management and Operations Staff Corinne Wellish, Director (202) 260-5392 |
| 12. Develop an outreach mechanism in Region 6 to inform AAPI students/graduates about their employment opportunities with EPA | a1. Post the EPA announcements at the
colleges'/universities' placement office a2. Attend/open job fairs in the AAPI community a3. Advertise EPA positions in the AAPI community media (newspaper, radio) b. Develop outreach mechanism to let AAPI students or graduates know how to use EPA's website for job searches and place OPM job kiosks in university libraries c. Visit high school with large ratio of AAPI students to encourage interest in environmental studies and careers, specifically inform them about the internship program at EPA which targets AAPI students |
a. May 2001 | a1. Number of AAPIs in the applicant
pool b1. Number of colleges/ universities that have kiosks set up b2. Number of students using the kiosks c. Number of EPA visits to high schools/colleges /universities |
Region 6 External Affairs Division and Management Division Contact persons - TBD |
| 13. Focus efforts to increase the representation of retired and unemployed older AAPIs in the applicant pool for Region 6 employment vacancies | a. Open job fairs at AAPI senior citizens' community center/meeting places so that they know about EPAs' NOWCC Program (previously called SEE Program) | a. August 2001 | a. Number of AAPI senior citizens in the applicant pool | Region 6 Management Division Contact person - TBD |
| 14. Establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) to create a partnership that can assist in carrying out the Region 7 workforce related activities | a. Coordinate with Headquarters on
agency goals that can be met with the MOU b. Begin a dialogue with FAPAC on which items we can partner (e.g.combined outreach to AAPI communities; recruitment for employees and interns; career development opportunities for existing employees) c. Sign the MOU with FAPAC d. Begin implementing the MOU |
a. October 2000 b. December 2000 c. Feb 2001 d. May 2001, Ongoing |
a. List of Agency needs b. Meet with FAPAC to discuss MOU goals c. MOU signed |
Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
| 15. Establish a network of contacts in various colleges and universities in Region 7 to disseminate information on environmental career opportunities and recruit prospective AAPI employees | a1. Identify colleges and universities
with high AAPI populations a2. Contact student services at colleges and universities to identify faculty sponsors and/or leaders of AAPI organizations a3. Develop a database/list of contacts b. Maintain presence at colleges (i.e. visit colleges to market the EPA; send job and internship announcements; fellowship opportunities) |
a1. October 2000 a2. May 2001 a3. August 2001 b. August 2001, Ongoing |
a. Database developed b. Increased representation of AAPIs in environmental fields and at the EPA |
Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
| 16. Increase the career advancement potential of AAPI employees in Region 7 through mentorship opportunities | a. Encourage all AAPIs to develop mentor relationships | a. December 2000 | a. Increase in the number of AAPIs mentored | Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
| 17. Continue to encourage the career development of AAPI employees in Region 9 | a. Work with APAC to notify AAPI employees
of vacancies, training programs, and other opportunities
for career development b. Work with APAC and HR to develop training or other program to address AAPI employee needs/concerns |
a. Ongoing b. May 2001 |
a1. AAPI employees notified of opportunities
a2. AAPI employees apply for opportunities b. Conduct a workshop related to career development during AAPI Heritage Month |
Region 9 Patricia Bowlin AAPI Program Manager (415) 744-1188 |
| 18. Increase AAPI community awareness of employment opportunities in Region 9 | a. Work with OCR, APA SEPM, and APAC
to inform AAPI organizations of vacancies b. Identify additional AAPI resources and organizations for outreach/recruitment |
a. Ongoing b. Ongoing |
a. AAPI organizations notified of vacancies
b. Additional AAPI resources and organizations identified |
Region 9 Karen Nelson Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator, (415) 744-2299 Patricia Bowlin AAPI Program Manager (415) 744-1188 |
| 19. By the end of FY00, identify support for AAPI initiative activities | a. Select AAPI Program Manager to focus on implementation of strategy | a. September 2000 | a. AAPI Program Manager selected | Office of Civil Rights & Environmental
Justice (Region 10) Joyce Kelly, Director (206) 553-4029 |
STRATEGIC GOAL #7: Increase outreach to AAPI communities to establish public-private partnerships that will promote appropriate linguistically and culturally competent services
| Objective | Strategy/Activity | Time Frame | Performance Measure | Lead Entity and Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Increase public education and partnership building program designed to inform the public about the connections among transportation choices, traffic congestion, air pollution and public health | a. Consider translating OAR-related
outreach information into AAPI languages b. Where budget allows, earmark for funding and awarding of contract |
a. Ongoing b. TBD |
b. Documents translated b. Contract awarded (as resources permit) |
Office of Air & Radiation Craig Gill (ORIA) (202) 564-9358 and Ann Chiu (OTAQ) (734) 214-4544 |
| 2. Raise the knowledge and awareness of indoor air pollution issues and provide resources to community based organizations | a. Renew grant with Association of Asian and Pacific Community (AAPCHO) to focus on education and training curriculum development, on Asthma management | a. September 2001 | a. Grant awarded | Office of Air & Radiation Craig Gill (ORIA) (202) 564-9358 |
| 3. Develop an outreach program to AAPI communities to establish public-private partnerships | a. Develop an outreach plan to AAPI communities to establish public-private partnerships through public forums, OPPTS websites, etc. | a. September 2001 | a. Outreach plan to AAPI communities and report on outreach efforts completed | Office of Prevention, Pesticides &
Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Charles Franklin (OPP) (703) 305-5017; Tom Laverty (OPPT) (202) 260-0768; and Inza Graves (OSCP) (202) 260-2611 |
| 4. Work with Regions and relevant AAPI communities to reduce use of illegally imported Chinese chalk in homes | a1. Make misuse prevention materials
on Chinese chalk available in relevant languages a2. Develop partnerships with community groups and Regions to distribute materials in at-risk communities |
a. September 2001 | a. Reduction in use of Chinese chalk and related cases of poisonings | Office of Pesticide Programs Claire Gesalman (703) 303-3260 |
| 5. Continue work with Korean-American community to make results from the Design for the Environment Program's garment care project available to that community | a1. Make Korean language materials
available in garment care industry a2. Conduct workshops |
a. September 2001 | a. Number of Korean-American garment care establishments receiving materials or participating in workshops | Office of Pollution Prevention &
Toxics Cindy Stroup (202) 260-3889 |
| 6. Provide EJ documents in AAPI languages | a. Update EJ materials in select AAPI languages, as needed | a. September 2001 | a. Have all materials available on request | Office of Environmental Justice Marva King Senior Program Analyst (202) 564-2599 |
| 7. Identify and build partnerships with AAPI trade associations and non-profit organizations | a. Join Asian American Suppliers Council (AASC) | a. September 2001 | a. Use the number of existing AAPI contracts as a baseline for increased partnership with AAPI organizations | Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 8. Encourage AAPIs to work with EPA's prime contractors to foster business development and contracting opportunities | a1. Provide sources and teaming arrangements
a2. Encourage a Mentor-Protégé Program for business development |
a. Ongoing | a1. Review Performance based contracts
a2. Evaluation on how the prime met their subcontracting goals |
Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 9. Solicit EPA program office support in identifying contracting opportunities and encourage program offices to create small business opportunities | a1. Work with programs, regions, and
state offices to develop a comprehensive list of community
groups and other non-governmental organizations that serve
the AAPI community a2. Provide materials on how to identify and access assistance resources a3. Hold forums and explain the assistance access process and discuss future opportunities |
a. Ongoing | a1. List of AAPI small business contacts
a2. Increase in the number of RFPs submitted by AAPI businesses and/or AAPI-serving businesses |
Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization Myrna Mooney (202) 564-4386 |
| 10. Issue guidance to states on how to improve their communication of risks of eating contaminated fish to AAPI subsistence fishers | a1. Conduct separate module on AAPI
populations at EPA's Risk Communication Conference a2. Publish revised guidance document with specific recommendations related to AAPIs |
a1. March 2001 a2. September 2001 |
a1. AAPI agenda item added a2. Guidance document published |
Office of Water Office of Science & Technology Tom Armitage (202) 260-5388 |
| 11. Publish a review of water quality indicators for tropical waters | a1. Conduct conference of experts to
assess current indicators a2. Publish review of indicators and recommend improved indicators where appropriate |
a1. January 2001 a2. September 2001 |
a1. Conference held a2. Review indicators / publish recommendations |
Office of Water Office of Science & Technology Tom Armitage (202) 260-5388 |
| 12. Adopt a local AAPI school in local EPA/NE/R1 Chinatown | a. Work with Boston School District to adopt Chinatown school yet to be named | a. March 2001 | a1. Get paperwork in motion to finalize
the Adoption a2. Sign adoption and publicly recognize new partnership |
Office of Civil Rights James Younger, Director and Region 1 Suzanne Bairos, AAPI Program Manager (617) 918-1982 |
| 13. Adopt a local school with a significant AAPI student population | a. Work with Philadelphia School District to finalize adoption of Holy Redeemer | a. January 2001 | a1. Get paperwork in motion to finalize
the Adoption a2. Sign adoption and publicly recognize new partnership |
Region 3 Cynthia Yu-Robinson AAPI Program Manager (215) 814-5557 |
| 14. Establish a vertical partnership in Region 6 between federal, state, and local agencies to discuss and identify responsibilities and implement actions on AAPI issues | a1. Establish working groups and identify
all players and their responsibilities a2. Begin addressing issues identified from the Community meetings on July 9-10, 2000 a3. Meet quarterly to discuss progress and/or any issues/obstacles |
a. March 2001 | a. A concrete plan with activities that are targeted, strategic, and outcome-oriented | Region 6 Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division Tai-ming Chang, Deputy Director (214) 665-2210 |
| 15. Ensure that several AAPI firms and organizations in Region 6 are aware of the grant process by increasing information dissemination | a1. Set up training/workshop on how
to write grant proposals or how to bid for government
contracts a2. Sponsor interagency conferences and one-on-one counseling |
a. August 2001 | a1. Number of workshops held a2. Number of grant proposals received from the AAPI community a3. Number of grants awarded to the AAPI community/organizations |
Region 6 M anagement Division; Office of Environmental Justice; and External Affairs Contact persons - TBD |
| 16. Develop a partnership with AAPI communities in Region 6 to remove obstacles to the revitalization of Brownfields sites/properties | a. Investigate the degree and extent of site contamination (conduct assessment) thereby facilitating Brownfields cleanup and encouraging the mitigation of potential health risks | a. September 2001 | a1. Number of Targeted Brownfields
Assessments conducted on Brownfields sites in AAPI communities
a2. Number of other assessments (e.g., pilot, private) conducted on Brownfields sites in AAPI communities |
Region 6 Superfund Division Stan Hitt (214) 665-6736 |
| 17. Develop an EPA compliance assistance community outreach program in Region 6 to increase AAPIs awareness and understanding of EPA regulations, as well as improving their health and environmental conditions | a. Conduct radio talk shows and/or
commercial segments on water, air and toxic waste issues
on AAPI radio stations b. Award contracts/seek volunteers for translating several key information pamphlets/fact sheets on environmental issues that target specifically to AAPI community c. Provide educational workshops to increase AAPIs understanding of environmental issues d1. Distribute translated materials/brochures directly to AAPI community via the partnership with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) Small Business Assistance Program, City of Houston, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council d2. Generate a list of AAPIs home or business addresses or e-mails that will be used for mailing EPA materials e. Set up toll-free telephone lines featuring AAPI language speakers to educate/ provide help on environmental issues and/or receive tips, and complaints |
a. August 2001, Ongoing | a. Number of radio talk shows on environmental
issues b. Number of contracts awarded for translation of EPA documents into AAPI language(s) c1. Number of workshops held in the AAPI community c2. Number of AAPI families receiving the materials/brochures d. An accurate mailing list of AAPI residential and business addresses (with few returns "Address Unknown") e1. Number of toll-free phone lines featuring AAPI language speakers e2. Number of telephone calls to these toll-free lines and problems addressed |
Region 6 Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division Pat Weatherly (214) 665-2165 External Affairs Contact person - TBD |
| 18. Increase outreach activities to AAPI communities in Region 7 | a. Translate documents | a. May 200, Ongoing |
a. Increase in the number of AAPI documents available | Region 7 Demetra O. Salisbury AAPI Program Manager (913) 551-7369 |
| 19. Continue partnership with Galileo High School in San Francisco-a diverse, urban school with a substantial AAPI population | a. R9 staff participation in various
activities related to Galileo's Environmental Science
curriculum b. Develop two-year strategic workplan |
a. Ongoing b. November 2000 |
a. R9 volunteers participate b. Workplan developed |
Region 9 Environmental Justice Team Willard Chin (415) 744-1204 |
| 20. Continue to build relationships with AAPI community groups and other AAPI organizations | a. Maintain contact lists produced
while planning the June 2000 community site visit b. Keep AAPI community informed of White House Initiative-related activities |
a. Ongoing b. Ongoing |
a. Contact list up-to-date b. Follow-up with community meeting attendees quarterly |
Region 9 Patricia Bowlin AAPI Program Manager (415) 744-1188 |
| 21. Continue to provide funding for AAPI-related projects through the EJ small grants program | a1. Notify AAPI organizations of funding
opportunities a2. Provide assistance to grant applicants |
a. Ongoing | a. Number of grant applications received from AAPI organizations | Region 9 Environmental Justice Team Romel Pascual (415) 744-1212 |
Monitoring Official:
Romulo L. Diaz, Jr.
Assistant Administrator
Office of Administration & Resources Management
US Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (Mailcode 3101-A)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-4600
(202) 564-0233
diaz.romulo@epa.gov
Alternate Monitoring Official:
Daiva Balkus
Director
Office of Human Resources
US Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (Mailcode 3610-A)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-4606
(202) 564-4613
balkus.daiva@epa.gov