Special Emphasis Programs (SEP)
Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) are an integral part of CDC’s Affirmative Employment Program. One key objective of SEP is to analyze agency workforce data to identify potential employment barriers in the areas of recruitment, hiring, promotion, career development, reasonable accommodation and retention affecting the full representation of protected groups (i.e. minorities, women and persons with disabilities), and develop viable solutions to help eliminate identified barriers to employment.
These programs also aim to improve the workplace environment by promoting and fostering diversity in the workplace through cultural awareness, sensitivity and understanding of the special issues affecting employment of diverse groups.
There are seven Special Emphasis Programs recognized and celebrated at CDC:
Special Emphasis Programs
| 3rd Monday in January | Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (Observance) |
| February | African American Heritage Month |
| March | Women’s History Month |
| May | Asian Pacific American Heritage Month |
| June | Sexual and Gender Minority (often known as LGBT) Pride Month |
| Sep 15 – Oct 15 | Hispanic Heritage Month |
| October | National Disability Employment Awareness Month |
| November | National American Indian Heritage Month |