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News Feature 12/13/2006
WHAT IS OUTREACH? WHAT ISN’T OUTREACH?
By Debra Walchuk, State Outreach Coordinator
Let’s be clear…Outreach is the way we do business with our customers.
The NRCS Outreach Division defines Outreach as a way of conducting business
to ensure that the “underserved” individuals and groups throughout the US and
its territories are made aware of, understand and have a working knowledge of
USDA programs and services. Outreach will ensure that these programs and
services are equitable and made accessible to all.
The “underserved” customers are individuals and groups who have not
participated in or have received limited benefits from USDA or NRCS programs.
Underserved non-farmers include members of religious and ethnic groups, rural
communities and urban communities.
NRCS envisions reaching out to the “underserved” communities through
partnerships resulting in trust and full participation in all NRCS programs.
Outreach and Civil Rights are not the same thing! Outreach is a process.
Civil Rights is a goal. Civil Rights has to do with the statutes that pertain
to employment (Title VII) and Program Delivery (Title VI).
Outreach and Program Delivery are not the same thing! Outreach is not a
program; it is the communication process whereby all people are made aware of
federal programs within and outside of the agency as well as delivering services
to all customers and potential customers based on their needs. Program delivery
is a statutorily established program (assistance). Program delivery is making
sure that our programs are delivered to all customers in an equitable and timely
manner.
Management’s goal is to ensure a commitment of equal access to NRCS programs
and services by providing equitable service to all customers. The mission of
the NRCS Outreach Division is to provide leadership to ensure that all programs
and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably,
with emphasis on reaching the “underserved.”
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