Organizational change begins with a story
A change story is an important tool we will use at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build understanding and acceptance at all levels of our Department to achieve successful cultural transformation around diversity, equity , inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). . We will inspire and empower leaders to create their own change stories, combining emotion with data to articulate the “why” of change, leadership commitment to change, and a shared vision of what successful change looks like in HHS.
DEIA’s legacy at HHS is written in the actions of every employee.
A message from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
My family has valued public service for as long as I can remember. As a child, I remember walking into the Voice of America building where my mother worked as a payroll technician. I admired her and all the women of color who worked alongside her. They were inspiring by her unwavering work ethic and dedication to service. My mother, Barbara, never finished her college degree because she and my father were determined to provide my sister and me with the best education so that we would be prepared to serve as positive contributing members of society. Those sacrifices and values stayed with me and deeply influenced my desire to enter public service.
I got my first introduction to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a child, when it was the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) and I was visiting my mother’s office in the HEW complex. Decades later, I walked through those same doors as the first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) of the Department of HHS. Life has come full circle for me.
Today I have the most rewarding job in the world. I create opportunities for members of underserved and overlooked communities with exceptional potential. Just as my parents did for me, I am responsible for ensuring that Americans inside and outside of HHS are set up for success and are instilled with the values my family taught me: hard work, dedication, and a passion for public service.
The effective impact of my work is largely due to the emphasis HHS has placed on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) for many years. HHS does more than support DEIA: it has embedded DEIA principles in its own culture. From the introduction of Executive Order 14035 and the creation of the DEIA Strategic Plan in 2022 to the establishment of the Operations Plan and Roadmap for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 last year, we have developed a solid foundation to ensure that Let’s stay aligned and focused on incorporating the DEIA. intentionally and systematically across HHS.
I am dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable populations in the United States of America and making a difference in the lives of as many people as possible. That promise begins within HHS. As a top five best place to work for 8 (eight) years in a row, at HHS we understand the importance of DEIA in creating a valued and sought-after workplace. My responsibility as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and CDO is to lead DEIA efforts across HHS, from engaging leadership and attracting and retaining talent, to creating a culture where everyone feels like they belong. I take on that role personally and we have already made significant progress.
Last year, we established a strategy that focuses on developing partnerships with students and faculty through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with minority-serving institutions and organizations. As of May 2024, we have signed 4 (four) MOUs and have 6 (six) more scheduled for the remainder of fiscal year 2024. I am very proud of this achievement because it lays the foundation for rekindling enthusiasm for public service in the next generation.
HHS has also experienced a 16.1% (sixteen point one percent) increase in employees of color at the SES GS pay level from FY 2022 to FY 2023. Peer mentoring programs have been established to reach underserved and underrepresented employees, and our leadership-driven culture reform strategy gives leaders the tools and resources to share their DEIA story and speak to the importance of DEIA-related change across the Department.
HHS has come a long way, but our journey is far from over. We stand on the threshold of transformative change that starts from above. My fellow leaders and I are the torchbearers, lighting the way by breaking down obstacles and seizing every opportunity for growth. As we move forward, our commitment to DEIA remains unwavering, with each leader held to the highest standards of progress and purpose.
“As we move forward, our commitment to DEIA remains unwavering, with each leader meeting the highest standards of progress and purpose. It is a collective effort, with each HHS employee taking on their critical role in fostering an environment where everyone They feel valued and included.”
It is a collective effort, with each HHS employee taking on their critical role in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and included. Together, with deliberate action, we will enrich our programs and services, ensuring that justice and equity are at the center of everything we do.
DEIA is not just a concept but the very essence of our identity at HHS, woven into the very core of our present and future.
/s/
Karen T. Comfort
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion Office of the Under Secretary for Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Continuing our journey DEIA
The DEIA journey is a continuous process of learning and improvement. Engaging with the DEIA is not only the right thing to do: it is the smart thing to do. It makes HHS a stronger federal agency, a more effective leader and partner in advancing the nation’s health, and an attractive home for the nation’s best and brightest talent.
Stories of leadership change will evolve as we collaborate across HHS and make shared progress. We will move forward by focusing on continuous improvement and addressing existing and emerging leadership needs.
If you have questions, resources, or additional information, please email DEIAStrategicPlan@hhs.gov.
