Diversity
Through the Diversity program, FEW develops strategies to identify and eliminate barriers and increase diversity within the Federal Government. FEW examines the demographics of the workforce according to age, race, sex, ethnic background, religious affiliation, disability, and sexual orientation. FEW also seeks to expand the notion of culture groups beyond the categories protected by law and regulation to include socioeconomic status, body-size diversity, and family composition. Diversity training is offered annually at FEW's National Training Program and at all Regional Training Program's.
On August 18, 2011, the President signed into law the establishment of a coordinated government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce. To read the Executive Order, click here. 
Jewish American Heritage Monthis a month to celebrate the contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since they first arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654.
Jewish American Heritage Month had its origins in 1980 when Congress passed Pub. L. 96-237 which authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating a week in April or May as Jewish Heritage Week. President Carter issued this first proclamation, Presidential Proclamation 4752 (external link) in April 1980. In this proclamation President Carter spoke about the bountiful contributions made by the Jews to the culture and history of the United States. He also spoke of the significance of April 1980 in the Jewish calendar, which was the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Israeli Independence Day, and the Days of Remembrance of Victims and Survivors of the Holocaust.
Between 1981 and 1990, Congress annually passed public laws proclaiming a week in April or May as Jewish Heritage Week and Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush issued annual proclamations which detailed important events in the history of the Jews.
In 1991, Congress passed Pub. L. 102-30 which requested the President designate the weeks of April 14-21, 1991 and May 3-10, 1992 as Jewish Heritage Week. In 1993, Congress passed Pub. L. 103-27 which requested the President designate the weeks of April 25-May 2, 1993 and April 10-17, 1994 as Jewish Heritage Week. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Clinton then issued 3 presidential proclamations between 1991-1994 for Jewish Heritage Week.
Between 1995 and 2006, Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush issued a series of annual presidential proclamations designating a week in April or May of each year as Jewish Heritage Week. On April 24, 1998, President Clinton issued Presidential Proclamation 7087 which celebrates the many contributions of Jewish Americans along with the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.
Then on February 14, 2006, Congress issued House Concurrent Resolution 315 which stated:
“Resolved ... that Congress urges the President to issue each year a proclamation calling on State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe an American Jewish History Month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”
Pursuant to this, on April 20, 2006 President Bush issued the first Presidential Proclamation which designated May 2006 as Jewish American Heritage Month. On May 12, 2009 President Obama issued the Presidential Proclamation 8379 which speaks of how Jewish American story is an example of the diversity in America History that enriches and strengthens the whole society. See the 2013 Proclamation.
More information on this year's theme- American Jews in Entertainment,located at: Jewish Hertiage Month website.
Hiring Authority for Disabled Expanded
Final rules published February 22 by OPM and effective March 24 expand the situations in which agencies may hire applicants with "targeted" disabilities under Schedule A authority.
That authority may be used to hire applicants with certain severe physical, intellectual or emotional disabilities or a history of having such disabilities or who are perceived as having such disabilities, as established by medical documentation provided by the individual or a disability certification. Eligible persons may be appointed without public notice and an agency may provide reasonable accommodations to help the individual perform the job.
The rules drop the requirement have a "certification of job readiness" which typically was a formal written document from a medical professional, vocational rehabilitation specialist or disability benefit agency that the person can be reasonably expected to perform in a particular work environment. Instead, a person now can be hired under that authority on a determination that the applicant is likely to succeed in performing the duties of the position, based on relevant employment, educational or other experience.
Those with so-called "targeted" disabilities make up about 1 percent of the total federal workforce, and about a tenth of those with disabilities.
Click here to read FEW Diversity Mission Statement
Georgia Thomas is the Vice President for Diversity. "To learn more about this focus area contact: diversityVP@few.org "