Change Story: Karen T. Consolation

DAS Karent T. Consolation visits College of El Paso to start talks to determine MSI/MSO Nationwide Partnership. People pictured left to proper: John Wiebe, Provost and Vice President for Tutorial Affairs, DAS Karen T. Consolation, Crystal Cherry, Deputy Director, Dallas Ft. Price Federal Government Board,    Callia Cox, Public Affairs Specialist , Dr. José O. Rivera, Founding Dean – Faculty of Pharmacy , Louie Rodriguez, J.D., Vice Provost for Skilled Growth, Engagement, and Strategic Initiatives

A Message from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fairness, Range and Inclusion & Chief Range Officer

My household has valued public service for so long as I can bear in mind. As somewhat lady, I recall strolling into the workplaces of the Division of Health, Schooling, and Welfare (HEW) the place my mom labored as a Payroll Technician. I admired her and all the ladies of colour who labored alongside her. They have been inspirational of their unwavering work ethic and dedication to service. My mom, Barbara, by no means completed her faculty diploma as a result of she and my father have been decided to provide my sister and me the very best schooling so we’d be ready to function constructive contributing members of society. These sacrifices and values have stayed with me and deeply influenced my need to enter the general public service.

I acquired my first introduction to the Division of Health and Human Providers (HHS) as a younger lady, again when IT was the Division of Health, Schooling, and Welfare (HEW) and I might go to my mom’s workplace within the HEW advanced. A long time later, I walked by means of those self same doorways as the primary Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fairness, Range, and Inclusion, and Chief Range Officer (CDO) for the Division of HHS. Life has come full circle for me.

In the present day, I’ve probably the most rewarding job on the earth. I create alternatives for members of underserved and missed communities with distinctive potential. Identical to my dad and mom did for me, I’m answerable for guaranteeing that People in and out of HHS are setup for achievement and instilled with the values my household taught me: exhausting work, dedication, and a ardour for public service.

The efficient affect of my work is due largely to the emphasis HHS has positioned on variety, fairness, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) for a few years. HHS does greater than help DEIA, IT has ingrained DEIA rules into its very tradition. From the introduction of Government Order 14035 and creation of the DEIA Strategic Plan in 2022 to the institution of the Fiscal 12 months 2024 and 2025 Operations Plan and Roadmap final yr, we’ve got developed a powerful basis to make sure that we stay aligned and centered on embedding DEIA deliberately and systematically throughout HHS.

I’m devoted to caring for probably the most weak populations in america of America and making a distinction within the lives of as many individuals as attainable. That promise begins inside HHS. As a prime 5 Greatest Place to Work for 8 (eight) consecutive years, we at HHS perceive the significance of DEIA in making a beneficial and wanted office. My duty because the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fairness, Range, and Inclusion, and CDO is to steer DEIA efforts throughout HHS, from partaking management and attracting and retaining expertise, to making a tradition the place everybody feels they belong. I take that cost personally, and we’ve got already made important progress.

Final yr, we established a method that focuses on creating partnerships with college students and school by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Minority Serving Establishments and Organizations. As of Could 2024, we’ve got signed 4 (4) MOUs and have 6 (six) extra scheduled for the reminder of FY2024. I really feel very happy with this achievement as a result of IT lays the groundwork for reigniting pleasure for public service within the subsequent technology.

HHS has additionally skilled a 16.1% (sixteen- level one %) enhance in workers of colour on the SES GS pay degree from FY2022 to FY2023. Peer-to-peer mentorship applications have been established to succeed in underserved and underrepresented workers and our leadership-driven cultural reform technique offers leaders the instruments and assets to share their DEIA story and communicate to the significance of DEIA-related change throughout the Division.

HHS has made nice strides ahead, however our journey is much from over. We stand on the threshold of transformative change that begins on the prime. My fellow leaders and I are the torchbearers, illuminating the trail by tearing down obstacles and seizing each probability for progress. As we forge forward, our dedication to DEIA stays unwavering, with each chief held to the very best normal of progress and function.

“As we forge forward, our dedication to DEIA stays unwavering, with each chief held to the very best normal of progress and function. IT is a collective endeavor, the place every HHS worker embraces their pivotal function in nurturing an surroundings the place everybody feels valued and included.”

IT is a collective endeavor, the place every HHS worker embraces their pivotal function in nurturing an surroundings the place everybody feels valued and included. Collectively, with deliberate motion, we’ll enrich our applications and companies, guaranteeing equity and fairness are on the coronary heart of all we do.

DEIA is not only an idea however the very essence of our identification at HHS, woven into the very core of our current and future.

Karen T. Consolation
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fairness, Range and Inclusion & Chief Range Officer Equal Employment Alternative, Range & Inclusion Workplace of the Assistant Secretary for Administration U.S. Division of Health and Human Providers

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Persevering with our DEIA journey

The DEIA journey is a steady strategy of studying and enchancment. Committing to DEIA is not only the correct factor to do—IT is the sensible factor to do. IT makes HHS a stronger federal company, a simpler chief and associate in advancing the Health of the nation, and a gorgeous dwelling for the nation’s finest and brightest expertise.

Management change tales will evolve as we collaborate throughout HHS and make shared progress. We’ll transfer ahead with a deal with steady enchancment and addressing present and rising management wants.

For questions, assets, or further Information, please e-mail DEIAStrategicPlan@hhs.gov.

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