This Thursday and Friday (5/1 - 5/2) I am attending this training program put on by the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Department of Transportation. This mandatory training was given to all persons in the United States that are responsible for DBE, airport-related DBE, or Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) certification by the FAA Office of Civil Rights and the USDOT to develop and enhance the skills necessary to perform a full review and analysis of certification eligibility unique to DBE and ACDBE certification.
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandated the establishment and implementation of a DBE and ACDBE certification training program to assist agencies in making more accurate and concise eligibility decisions.
My Performance Management Guide lists this training as an annual employee development and training goal. By the end of tomorrow, I expect to be better educated in applying the certification standards as written in the regulation. This training ensures that the interpretation and application of the requirements is consistent throughout the country and a certificate is issued upon completion of the training.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
2014 National AASHTO Civil Rights Training Symposium
The first three days this week (4/28 - 4/30) I attended this training symposium hosted by the Arizona Department of Transportation (DOT). The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose primary goal is to foster the development, operation, and maintenance of an integrated transportation system in the United States. The purpose of the training was to educate state DOT and local public agencies on proposed programmatical changes to the DBE program, interstate DBE certification and compliance trends, and USDOT expectations of state and local agency personnel. This year's theme was "Collaboration is our drive, opportunity is our destination", and several keynote speakers such as the Director of the AZ DOT and the Deputy Secretary of Transportation delivered messages to those in attendance about how to better collaborate with DOT stakeholders to advance Civil Rights programs, like the DBE program, and establish best practices for advancing equal employment opportunities in the transportation industry.
Through this 3-day training, I gained further insight into the DBE program and federal requirements, upcoming changes to the regulation, and I was able to network with civil rights administrators from around the country.
Through this 3-day training, I gained further insight into the DBE program and federal requirements, upcoming changes to the regulation, and I was able to network with civil rights administrators from around the country.
'Thank You' To My Program Manager
Considering that my supervisor and Program Manager, Lee Molina and I started our new positions at about the same time, it was like the-blind-leading-the-blind on some days. Despite the massive learning curve, we were able to teach and learn from each other and I thank Lee so much for his patience and encouragement throughout this difficult learning process.
There were some mornings when I just wanted to close my office door and scream, but Lee was there, coaching, mentoring and allowing me autonomy when I needed it. Not only did he have the most confidence in me to do good work, but when I was the one helping him with Contract Compliance education and assistance, he gave me credit for it. My Deputy Director would come to my office from time to time, thanking me for work I did for Lee, when Lee could have taken all the credit and didn't.
Lee informed me last month that he plans to retire in the next two years, and I was torn emotionally. He has been so incredibly supportive of my efforts to learn my job duties and finish my BS degree, that I am so sad for him to leave the department. At the same time, I am so happy that he'll get to enjoy his free time with his family in the cooler climates of Arizona like he's always talked about.
Lee is one of the best supervisors I've had in my ten years with the City, and one day I hope to be as good or better when afforded the opportunity to supervise myself. Thank you, Lee!!
There were some mornings when I just wanted to close my office door and scream, but Lee was there, coaching, mentoring and allowing me autonomy when I needed it. Not only did he have the most confidence in me to do good work, but when I was the one helping him with Contract Compliance education and assistance, he gave me credit for it. My Deputy Director would come to my office from time to time, thanking me for work I did for Lee, when Lee could have taken all the credit and didn't.
Lee informed me last month that he plans to retire in the next two years, and I was torn emotionally. He has been so incredibly supportive of my efforts to learn my job duties and finish my BS degree, that I am so sad for him to leave the department. At the same time, I am so happy that he'll get to enjoy his free time with his family in the cooler climates of Arizona like he's always talked about.
Lee is one of the best supervisors I've had in my ten years with the City, and one day I hope to be as good or better when afforded the opportunity to supervise myself. Thank you, Lee!!
Internship Goals: Looking Back
In my first blog post I indicated that I would like to network and meet more people in the Civil Rights field. When I began this internship program in January 2014, I had only been working in my current position for a little over four months. Since that time, I have facilitated several workshops, presented program information to internal customer departments and external prime contractors, and attended several training programs and symposiums. In doing so, I have been able to develop closer relationships with City Contract Specialists and project managers, business owners in the community, and DBE certification and compliance specialists throughout the country.
This past week (4/28 - 29) I was even able to talk about my education and work experience with DBE program managers from New York, Las Vegas, Alaska and Hawaii about job opportunities in their respective DOT (Department of Transportation) offices!
My biggest take away these last five months has been learning the regulation, interpretation, application and enforcement of the DBE program. Becoming familiar with federal regulation and mandates for the DBE program (49 CFR Part 26) as well as our local SBE program and City construction and professional services contract language has been a huge undertaking, but it is also knowledge and experience that I can add to my resume.
Last week, my supervisor reassured me that if I continue to learn and apply this information, I will be a viable candidate for EO Specialist, when the position comes out early next year!
This past week (4/28 - 29) I was even able to talk about my education and work experience with DBE program managers from New York, Las Vegas, Alaska and Hawaii about job opportunities in their respective DOT (Department of Transportation) offices!
My biggest take away these last five months has been learning the regulation, interpretation, application and enforcement of the DBE program. Becoming familiar with federal regulation and mandates for the DBE program (49 CFR Part 26) as well as our local SBE program and City construction and professional services contract language has been a huge undertaking, but it is also knowledge and experience that I can add to my resume.
Last week, my supervisor reassured me that if I continue to learn and apply this information, I will be a viable candidate for EO Specialist, when the position comes out early next year!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Faces of Diversity Brown Bag Event
The Equal Opportunity Department in collaboration with the Phoenix Human Relations Commission sponsor the Faces of Diversity Brown Bag events to promote cultural diversity awareness education to the community.
On March 28, “The Heroic Journey: An Adolescent Quest for Identity” was the topic of the hour. Montessori teachers Jennifer Matthews and Shayne Sotelo and Faith North Montessori students presented the holistic benefits of The Heroic Journey Program in the middle school classroom. The presentation provided a look inside the teenage brain and why this “journey” towards identity becomes so essential for their later years. Students entering adolescence begin to ask themselves, “Who was I as a child and who am I now?” At this age, children are trying to forge an identity and find their place in society.
The Heroic Journey Program encourages adolescents to use their natural gifts and talents while figuring out who they want to be. The more students can consciously think about and visualize who they want to be, the more likely it is to happen.
Having studied abroad in England and Spain as well as several other countries, middle school Montessori teacher Jennifer Matthews brings a rich knowledge of cultural Rites of Passage from many parts of the world including Australia, Italy, France, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama.
As a middle school teacher/administrator and transformational life coach, Shayne Sotelo has taught children in grades second though 12 and has done extensive work regarding the adolescent brain and adolescent behavior. Sotelo was awarded the 2012 Teacher of the Year in the Phoenix Elementary School District.
With their more than 30 years of combined teaching/coaching experience and Montessori K-8 training working with adolescents, Matthews and Sotelo provide more schools and teachers with this year-long life skills program.
On March 28, “The Heroic Journey: An Adolescent Quest for Identity” was the topic of the hour. Montessori teachers Jennifer Matthews and Shayne Sotelo and Faith North Montessori students presented the holistic benefits of The Heroic Journey Program in the middle school classroom. The presentation provided a look inside the teenage brain and why this “journey” towards identity becomes so essential for their later years. Students entering adolescence begin to ask themselves, “Who was I as a child and who am I now?” At this age, children are trying to forge an identity and find their place in society.
The Heroic Journey Program encourages adolescents to use their natural gifts and talents while figuring out who they want to be. The more students can consciously think about and visualize who they want to be, the more likely it is to happen.
Having studied abroad in England and Spain as well as several other countries, middle school Montessori teacher Jennifer Matthews brings a rich knowledge of cultural Rites of Passage from many parts of the world including Australia, Italy, France, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama.
As a middle school teacher/administrator and transformational life coach, Shayne Sotelo has taught children in grades second though 12 and has done extensive work regarding the adolescent brain and adolescent behavior. Sotelo was awarded the 2012 Teacher of the Year in the Phoenix Elementary School District.
With their more than 30 years of combined teaching/coaching experience and Montessori K-8 training working with adolescents, Matthews and Sotelo provide more schools and teachers with this year-long life skills program.
United Minds: A Youth Perspective on Diversity
The Phoenix Human Relations Commission, in cooperation with the Equal Opportunity Department and PHX Channel 11, has produced a 35-minute DVD addressing race relations and cultural diversity. The DVD, United Minds: A Youth Perspective on Diversity, focuses on ways for youth to build tolerance and a sense of community at school.
It features 13 dynamic students from Valley high schools gathered together for a roundtable discussion on diversity issues affecting young people. Discussion centers on:
EOD collaborated with the National Conference for Community and Justice in creating a discussion guide to accompany the DVD.
It features 13 dynamic students from Valley high schools gathered together for a roundtable discussion on diversity issues affecting young people. Discussion centers on:
- What is Diversity?
- Race and Ethnicity Perceptions
- Stereotypes
- Who is Responsible for Change?
- Reflections of the Past and Visions of the Future
EOD collaborated with the National Conference for Community and Justice in creating a discussion guide to accompany the DVD.
For a copy of the DVD and discussion guide, contact the Equal Opportunity department at 602-256-4126/voice or 602-534-1557/TTY. There is a charge per DVD to cover the cost of dubbing and shipping.
EOD Strengths/Weaknesses
A lot of times, with non-profit and public sector organizations, it seems that "weaknesses" are the nature of the beast. With economic downturns and government agencies all over the country rolling out platforms of "doing more with less", it is no wonder that processing time, staffing shortages and budget cuts, caseloads and decreasing morale are a few weaknesses that can be unavoidable.
Just today, City Manager Ed Zuercher announced potential tax increases, public service fees, and cuts to senior and community centers in the Valley to somehow recover the nearly $38 million budget shortfall this fiscal year. This was due to overstated revenue projections by Phoenix City Council the last couple of years.
I think that the City of Phoenix is both a wonderful employer and a great place to live. In recent years, the strengths have been in our ability to revitalize and grow from a 'small town' feel to the sixth-largest city in the Nation. This evolution to a 'big city' brings more revenue and more people from across the country are going to want to move here. This past winter I couldn't turn on the news without hearing about dreadful conditions of blizzards, snowed-in residents, closed businesses and schools. Phoenix may have extreme summer months, but we NEVER shovel snow from our driveways or stop functioning because of the weather!
So, where we can do better as an organization is to continue to revitalize, attract business, employment, residents which will then lead to increases in revenue. I think we also have an opportunity to partner with the entertainment and arts community to enrich not only the economy of Phoenix, but also the culture.
Just today, City Manager Ed Zuercher announced potential tax increases, public service fees, and cuts to senior and community centers in the Valley to somehow recover the nearly $38 million budget shortfall this fiscal year. This was due to overstated revenue projections by Phoenix City Council the last couple of years.
I think that the City of Phoenix is both a wonderful employer and a great place to live. In recent years, the strengths have been in our ability to revitalize and grow from a 'small town' feel to the sixth-largest city in the Nation. This evolution to a 'big city' brings more revenue and more people from across the country are going to want to move here. This past winter I couldn't turn on the news without hearing about dreadful conditions of blizzards, snowed-in residents, closed businesses and schools. Phoenix may have extreme summer months, but we NEVER shovel snow from our driveways or stop functioning because of the weather!
So, where we can do better as an organization is to continue to revitalize, attract business, employment, residents which will then lead to increases in revenue. I think we also have an opportunity to partner with the entertainment and arts community to enrich not only the economy of Phoenix, but also the culture.
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