1. WIT Reaching out to Underserved Communities Presentation by Jayant Deo and Jim Keeney CIRA at Colorado State University and CRH MSD

2. What is WIT? Stands for WCM Initiatives Team. Comprised of WCMs and MICs from all regions to address issues of improving outreach to underserved communities.

3. Underserved Communities Those communities who experience reduced physical mobility, language barriers, etc. and who do not:  Receive Information  Take appropriate actions when the NWS issues weather warnings

4. Why reach out? By developing a more extensive and consistent outreach effort, we can become a more representative organization and Improve our own diversity Improve delivery and effectiveness of information and services Attract individuals from underserved communities into the agency

5. National Weather Service Work Force compared to National Civilian Labor Force Category1999200020012002NCLF Total Employment4822480447044719 Male84%83%83%83%54% Female16%17%17%17%46%

6. National Weather Service Work Force Composition Compared to National Civilian Labor Force Category1999200020012002NCLF Total Employment4822480447984798 Male84%83%83%83%54% Female16%17%17%17%46% Non-Minority Male77%76%75%75%43% Female12%13%13%13%35% Minority Male7%7%8%8%12% Female4%4%4%4%10% Targeted Disabilities0.7%0.8%0.8%0.8%6%

7. Three Phase Approach Phase I: Improve awareness of underserved communities by conducting training for NWS employees Three Phase Approach Phase I: Improve awareness of underserved communities by conducting training for NWS employees  Enhance current WCM training course to show how to conduct more effective outreach to underserved communities  Conduct training at all National and Regional conferences  Provide training to NWS employees attending courses at all the training centers

8. Phase II: Develop outreach resources for WCMs    Phase II: Develop outreach resources for WCMs  Develop tools to assess and understand hazards vulnerability  Develop and provide resource materials to increase NWS involvement  Build partnerships with underserved communities

9. Phase III: Material Collection, documentation, dissemination Phase III: Material Collection, documentation, dissemination  Inventory existing outreach programs to see if they are reaching underserved communities  Enhance existing programs to insure they reach underserved communities  Improve sharing of outreach resources

10. What can we do?  Promote science and technology as a career Need to open new channels and improve existing sources that can provide future NOAA employees Need to generate interest in careers in science and technology Look beyond the tried and exhausted channels

11. What can we do? What can we do? continued  Provide career talks wherever and whenever possible Using existing national and local programs Drawing on experiences of programs that have worked Using every opportunity available to reach out, and most importantly, incorporate this perspective into our outreach work to infuse enthusiasm and interest in science and technology as a vocation

12. Where do we go from here? § Use the existing diversity in our workforce to improve participation and communication § Think beyond conventional representational issues § Think about quality of work issues that affect our lives § Think about an open workplace