How To Make Special Emphasis Programs an Effective Part of Agencies' EEO Activities

Special emphasis programs were established in federal agencies because women and minorities perceived that their needs were not being adequately considered or met in existing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs. There are five government-wide programs: (1) the Federal Women's Program; (2) the Hispanic Employment Program; (3) the Selective Placement Program for the Handicapped; (4) the Minority Outreach and Upward Mobility Program; and (5) the Veterans Employment Program. Other special emphasis programs have been established within individual agencies. The number and types of special emphasis programs have grown rapidly; however, little is known about how effective these programs have been in serving the needs of their constituents and helping the agencies meet EEO goals.