Access and Opportunity

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Governor Patrick    FY2011 House 2 Budget Recommendation:
    Issues in Brief

    Deval L. Patrick, Governor
    Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor

 

 

The Patrick-Murray Administration remains committed to a broad interpretation and implementation of the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all facets of Executive Branch operations. The Governor has issued Executive Order 478 codifying the Office of Access and Opportunity within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance.

Mission: Rooted in a social justice and economic justice civil rights mission, the Office of Access and Opportunity serves as a catalyst and advocate for non-discrimination and equal opportunity initiatives by providing executive branch-wide leadership; supporting the success of women, minorities and other underrepresented/underserved populations; partnering with internal and external stakeholders to advance social and economic equity within the Commonwealth; and developing organizational policies, programs and structures to most effectively advance the objectives of non-discrimination and equal opportunity.

Vision: The vision for the Office of Access and Opportunity is to be a catalyst and coordinator of activities that will assist the executive branch in maintaining and enhancing an environment that fosters non-discrimination and equal opportunity to and for all residents.

The Office is headed by an Assistant Secretary for Access and Opportunity, whose work is focused on personnel, procurement and policy. Some of the goals and objectives that the Office of Access and Opportunity will work toward include:

This picture illustrates the "We Are" campaign that emphasizes the shaping of an inclusive workforce.  When you complete the confidential self-identification form, you are helping shape our diverse and inclusive workce.  To learn more, contact your ADA coordinator (Massachusetts Office on Disability).  Under the guidance of Governor Deval Patrick, the Commonwealth is working to become a model employer for people with disabilities.

(1)   Providing leadership in implementing the principles and tenets of Executive Order (E.O.) 390, E.O. 478, and other state laws and Executive Branch rules relative to equal opportunity and non-discrimination;

(2)   Working on specific policies and programmatic activities that will serve and support the success of individuals from diverse underrepresented/underserved backgrounds;

(3)   Creating opportunities for social and economic advancement; and

(4)   Working to enhance the organizational effectiveness and Executive Branch infrastructure needed to meet the state’s non-discrimination and equal opportunities goals and objectives.

Specific activities, as identified in the Office of Access and Opportunity Strategic Objectives 2010 (www.mass.gov/anf/oao), will be launched to ensure positive outcomes as measured against these goals and objectives.

In addition to the work already identified, the Governor‘s fiscal year 2011 budget proposal builds on these principles through specific language and funding to support access to trainings on the part of executive branch diversity directors, diversity officers, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinators and an Article 87 Reorganization Plan to combine the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOWMBA) and the Affirmative Market Program (AMP).  The combined agency will represent a single door through which minority and women-owned firms can enter to seek certification as MBE and WBE firms as well as to receive technical assistance and capacity building services, allowing for a more efficient use of limited state resources.


Prepared by Ron Marlow, Executive Office for Administration and Finance ·
www.mass.gov/budget/governor
For more information contact: contactanf@massmail.state.ma.us (617) 727-2040