WELCOME

Dear Friends:
Like many state governments, Kentucky has lagged behind in its commitment to minorities. Everybody talks the talk, but few walk the walk. My administration is committed to doing everything possible to make Kentucky a more inviting place for minorities to live, work, and play.
Equal opportunity is the essence of the American dream. It is more than a goal; it is a promise to every citizen, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic background. In Kentucky, we want to fulfill that promise in education, in housing, in business, in the job market, and in every other aspect of our daily lives.
From Abraham Lincoln to Muhammad Ali, Kentucky has a rich and proud tradition of leadership in the fight for equal opportunity. It is our solemn duty to build upon that tradition by promoting Kentucky as a state where diversity and inclusiveness are an integral part of the culture.
On behalf of the Commonwealth, First Lady Glenna and I extend our very best wishes to each of you, and look forward to working with you to build a society that will make us all proud to be Kentuckians.
Click here for more information on Governor Ernie Fletcher.

Sincerely,
Ernie Fletcher
Governor
www.governor.ky.gov

Dear Friends:
In March 2004 Governor Ernie Fletcher created the Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment (GOME) with a mission to work for the success of minorities throughout the Commonwealth. I was appointed Executive Director for this office and charged with the primary responsibilities of ensuring that all minorities are better represented and receive equal access in the following areas of empowerment: economic development, education, healthcare, housing, government services and criminal justice matters.
For the last several months this office has worked to fulfill the important goals that have been established by Governor Fletcher and achieve the priorities that will provide a better quality of life for all Kentuckians. Governor Fletcher and the GOME are working to provide greater opportunities for Kentuckians, and minorities everywhere are benefiting from this work. The Governor has set forth clear priorities that are helping minorities throughout the Commonwealth and are working to move Kentucky forward. These priorities include promoting self-sufficiency through education and training and ensuring equal access to jobs and economic development.
These are issues that are important to Governor Fletcher, and the Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment is working to produce results. If you would like to find out more about the Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment, please visit www.ome.ky.gov or call 502.564.2611 for more information.

Sincerely,
Tierra Kavanaugh Turner
Executive Director of Minority Empowerment
Office of the Governor
www.ome.ky.gov


NEW MINORITY INITIATIVES

Economic Development Empowerment
This office will continue to investigate opportunities to maximize economic growth in the Commonwealth. We will specifically focus on educating minorities on fiscal responsibility and accountability. We will look for employment and advancement opportunities for qualified minorities in both the public and private sectors. We will investigate the processes of awarding state contracts to minority businesses to address the evident procurement inequities from past administrations. The increased monitoring and awarding of government contracts will help to create more jobs. In KY, according to the 1997 Census data, 96.9% of all businesses in KY are classified as small businesses. Of that population, 34% are minority and woman-owned businesses. Thus, if each minority and woman-owned business would have the growth opportunity to hire 2 new employees during our current term in office, in excess of 150,000 new jobs would be created over the next 3 years.

Education Empowerment
The Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment works directly with the Education Cabinet and each of it’s departments to look for applicable solutions to close the academic achievement gaps between non-minority and minority students. We look to facilitate effective vocational education into our public schools to stimulate self confidence and achievement for those seeking to learn the initial components of a meaningful lifelong trade. We will be working with educators in all public school facilities to illustrate the need of on-going diversity training that focuses on racial and socioeconomic differences.
While ensuring that all of our youth are receiving a quality education we also have to ensure that qualified minority administrative personnel and teachers are aggressively being recruited, hired, retained and promoted. My office will review the number of minority students in special education and the number of minority students in advanced programs. Included in our review processes will be test scores and discipline disparities. Illiteracy is an epidemic that further promotes generational bondage that is prolific within minority communities, thus adult literacy education and GED preparatory coursework will also be reviewed.

Healthcare Empowerment
GOME coordinates its efforts with the Cabinet of Health and Family Services to review the levels of access minorities have to quality healthcare facilities and services. We will work to disseminate healthcare information to all minorities throughout the Commonwealth to improve the overall health of minorities. Our primary focus will be in the areas of prenatal care, adolescent pregnancy, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and HIV.

Housing Empowerment
We will strive to improve the housing conditions of minorities throughout the state, while being uncompromising in our efforts to increase the percentage of minority homeowners throughout the state. We will accomplish this by using many of the existing government programs established for home-buying assistance. Please review our upcoming highlights to learn when our "Come Home to Your Home" Seminar will be in your area.

Government Services Empowerment
We will continuously work to ensure that the minority community is well aware and informed of the services offered by their government and to provide technical assistance to the community to ensure that said services are properly, fairly, and effectively administered, delivered and maximized.

Criminal Justice Empowerment
Our office will work closely with the Justice Cabinet and all other relevant state agencies and organizations to review sentencing uniform guidelines within the criminal justice system. In addition, we will review sentencing guidelines and treatment for substance abuse offenders.

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UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS

Homeownership Education Workshop
The Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment along with the Kentucky Housing Corporation announces the Come Home to Your Home, Yes You Can...Own a Home, Homeownership Education Workshops. The workshops are held around the state throughout the year and are held from 9 am to 2 pm.

If you need answers to your credit questions (no credit, credit problems, etc.), help with a down payment or closing costs, details about the home buying process, loan prequalification information, or home maintenance guidance and information, this workshop is for you. We can help! Register to attend our workshop when it’s in your area by calling: Kentucky Housing Corporation, 800-633-8896 ext. 413 or the Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment, 502-564-2611 ext. 370 or send an e-mail to kyome@ky.gov.

Don’t pass up this opportunity to learn how to become a successful homeowner.

The Come Home to Your Home workshops are currently scheduled for:
March 19, 2005:
Northern KY area
May 14, 2005: Louisville, KY
July 23, 2005: Shelbyville, KY
September 17, 2005: Lincoln Trail area

Diversity Day: February 16, 2005
Governor Ernie Fletcher is committed to the ideas of diversity and understands the potential of young people. Diversity prepares students by creating awareness of the differences that influence the world in which we live. It also provides students an opportunity to explore, understand and appreciate those differences. Additionally, diversity enhances and strengthens students by supporting educational excellence; fostering rich ideas and experiences; and teaching student flexibility to grow with the changing world.

The 2005 Governor's Diversity Day will be held at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year's theme "Celebrating Diverse Opportunities within the Commonwealth" seeks to promote the ideas of diversity while exposing students to the many career opportunities available within the Commonwealth. This event also offers a unique opportunity for students to learn about the nature of state government and the role of each state cabinet and agency in providing essential services to the citizens of the Commonwealth. For more information and/or to register please visit: http://personnel.ky.gov/.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The mission of the Commonwealth’s Personnel Cabinet is to take care of state government employees, as well as, those seeking employment with the state. Thus, we invite you to peruse their website at http://personnel.ky.gov/index.html. We are confident you will find the information beneficial.

Internship Opportunity
O, The Oprah Magazine is looking to hire fall interns in the Fashion and Style Departments. Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented and be able to juggle multiple tasks at once. Prior internship experience preferred, but not required. This opportunity is available for college students in need of credit hours and recent graduates who are available to start immediately, full-time from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 5 days a week. Send resumes with a cover letter to: Cindy M. del Rosario, Associate Editor, O, The Oprah Magazine, 1700 Broadway, 38th floor, NY, NY, or call 212-903-5149.

Verizon Opportunity
Verizon is seeking graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the following areas of interest: Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Information Technology, General Business, Finance and Marketing. Interested applicants should submit their resume to: Melissa.W.Langham@verizon.com to be considered for career opportunities with Verizon.


Harvard's Tuition Announcement
Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers announced in February 2004 a major new initiative designed to encourage talented students from families of low and moderate income to attend Harvard College. While the new initiative has four major components, including recruitment, admissions, and a summer academic program designed to prepare talented students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds for college, the financial aid component increases aid for students from low and moderate income families. Parents in families with incomes of less than $40,000 will no longer be expected to contribute to the cost of attending Harvard for their children. In addition, Harvard will reduce the contributions expected of families with incomes between $40,000 and $60,000.

Thus, if you know of a family earning less than $40,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. To find out more information about Harvard's free tuition initiative, please visit Harvard's financial aid web site at http://adm-is.fas.harvard.edu/FAO/index.htm or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

Department of Military Affairs
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST II - 9612, Grade 10, $1,856.08 (entry level) - $2,458.96 (midpoint), Kentucky Community Crisis Response Board -Division of Emergency Management - Frankfort, KY (Franklin County), General Job Duties: Interprets and applies laws, rules, regulations and policies applicable to the administration of agency programs. Reviews state and federal legislative or administrative regulation changes to determine policy/procedure. Monitors organizational unit budget status and makes recommendations to superiors in terms of internal adjustments necessary to stay within the budget. Studies organizational unit's needs for additional equipment, supplies and materials and makes recommendations for the requisition thereof. Reviews, compiles and/or prepares operational records and reports for compliance with federal, state and agency reporting requirements. Contacts field personnel by phone, in writing or in person to resolve inconsistencies or inaccuracies in records and/or reports. Drafts correspondence or other responses for administrators who require the interpretation and application of policies and procedures. Attends meetings on behalf of superiors. Makes informational presentations to organizations or groups. Minimum Requirements: Education: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree. Experience: Must have one year of professional, administrative or business experience; and Substitution Clause: Education: Additional education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Experience: Additional administrative, business, research and/or clerical experience will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Submit Application To: Julius Berthold, Executive Director, Office of Management & Administration, 100 Minuteman Parkway - EOC Building, Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, KY 40601 or to request an application, contact: Teresa Lee, (502) 607-1237
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 11 February 2005

GEOPROCESSING SPECIALIST I - 9780, Pay Grade: Grade 12, Salary Range: $2,245.76 (entry level) - $2,975.22 (midpoint); Location: Engineering and Services Branch, Facilities Division, Frankfort, KY (Franklin County); Selection Method: Non-P1; General Job Duties: Coordinates/conducts facility documentation, updates master plans, conducts site inspections, prepares reports and integrates with Facilities Center (PRIDE). Maintains database, digitizes map layers and updates existing maps as needed. Identifies sources of data, develops coding structures for non-graphic data, and documents information regarding source and preparation of map layers. Designs and produces map products, accurately complies and integrates cartographic data from varied sources in preparation for the digital conversion process. Designs GIS systems, analyzes existing GIS and database programs, makes corrections and or enhancements, tests programs to determine usefulness, provides specifications for applications development, customizes software to meet end users' GIS application needs. Provides guidance for compilation, conversions, modification and enhancement of computer maps. Monitors GIS workstations and system performance, installs new authorized version of software and additional hardware components, performs periodic backups, maintains security on the systems and ensures the supplies are available as needed. Provides user support and training for database and map generation systems. Attends professional meetings and training to update department master planning/GIS programs. Develops and compiles cost data and requirements to submit budget request in support of master planning/GIS programs. Performs other duties as necessary or as assigned. Minimum Requirements: Education: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree. Applicant must have successfully completed six semester hours in computer science, data processing, or geographic information system courses. Experience: None, and Substitution Clause: Education: None. Experience: Experience in geoprocessing will substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. One year experience in geoprocessing will substitute for the six semester hour requirement. Experience in manual mapping techniques, photogrammyetry or land surveying will substitute for the bachelor's degree on the basis of 18 months experience for one year of education. Submit Application To: Julius Berthold, Executive Director, Office of Management & Administration, 100 Minuteman Parkway - EOC Building, Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, KY 40601 or to request an application, contact: Teresa Lee, (502) 607-1237
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 17 February 2005

PURCHASING OFFICER SUPERVISOR - 9613, Grade 15, $2,989.20 (entry level) - $3,960.30 (midpoint), Location: KY LOGISTICS OPERATIONS CENTER, Lexington, KY - Fayette County. Selection Method: Non-P1. General Job Duties: Assist all Branches of the KYLOC in the Procurement of goods and services. Coordinates and submits all purchase request and work request for equipment, material, supplies and services required for all Branches within the KYLOC. Submit and maintain all records required of purchase transactions. Provide detailed description and specifications, suggested vendor and valid price quotes. Track all order requests and verifies receipt and quality of all goods received. Write specifications for items placed on master agreement due to quantities used, and for large purchases such as a capital construction. Maintain Original Source Documentation File and supporting documentation file for all purchases. Keep current on MARS to insure request is submitted correctly. Monitors stock inventory to assure supplies and equipment are not depleted prior to reordering. Prepares periodic reports on purchases. Assists Division Director in determining equipment requirements for new projects based on past history. Minimum Requirements: Education: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in marketing, business or a related field. Experience: Must have four years of experience in large-scale purchasing. And Substitution Clause: Education: Graduate study in marketing, business or a related field will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis not to exceed two years. Experience: Additional experience as a purchasing officer or purchasing technician will substitute for the required education on a year-for year basis. Certification with the National Institute of Government Purchasing as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) will substitute for one year of the college requirement or certification as a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) will substitute for two years of the college requirement. Submit Application To: Julius Berthold, Executive Director, Office of Management & Administration, 100 Minuteman Parkway - EOC Building, Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, KY 40601. To request an application, contact: Teresa Lee, (502) 607-1237
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 18 February 2005

SEEKING CONTRACT EMPLOYEE - Salary for this position is $50,000 per year. The KY National Guard is seeking an individual (Contractor) to assist the Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve effort providing soldiers, families and employers the opportunity to remedy present and potential employment issues in light of recent and future deployments. Some other duties include: Duty in Frankfort, KY, working with the State J1; assist the State J1 with the management, oversight, guidance and support to the Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve effort/Programs; provide day-to-day continuity for committee programs and initiative; assist with the liaison between the National and State ESGR officials; analyze the assigned area's ESGR program to ensure it complies with higher headquarters policy, guidance and accreditation standards; plan and assist with the execution of required conferences and meetings; gather and analyze issues within the area of responsibility; develop, plan, and conduct training regarding the ESGR program for individuals or groups; provide recommendations to the State J-1 to assist with the establishment, implementation, and coordination of all local ESGR administrative and operational policies and procedures; advise the command and staff on all matters relating to ESGR; plan, program, recommend, and monitor resources necessary to support program components; maintain resource library and historic records; prepare a recommended marketing plan for ESGR to the local Guard community; provide ESGR training and briefings on weekdays and weekends as needed. Some local and long distance travel is anticipated in support of this requirement. Please forward resumes via email to: Judy.Greenebaker@ky.ngb.army.mil.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 25 February 2005.

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BUSINESS

Interested in doing business with the Commonwealth? One must be registered to do so. All potential vendors seeking a contract with the Commonwealth and/or wanting to be notified of opportunities to do business with the Commonwealth should be registered. Registration allows vendors the opportunity to identify products and services they wish to offer to the Commonwealth. In addition, vendor registration makes it easier for agencies to find your company. Vendors may register and review current bid opportunities on the eProcurement website: https://eprocurement.ky.gov. A vendor registering for the first time may go to the New Vendor Registration section on the eProcurement page and provide the requested information.

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NEWS OF INTEREST

Governor Fletcher Continuing Proud Tradition of Lincoln, Kentucky Republican Governors Administration Committed to Minority Empowerment

We Must do More for Civil Rights

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Minorities in State Government
Learn about your voice in Frankfort and find out who's who.
Please call 502-564-2611 for your copy.