State Agencies

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICE

Harry Hamrick, Director

1123 N. Eutaw St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-5404

The Equal Opportunity Office was created in
September, 1972, under the authority of the first
Secretary of the Department of Human Re-
sources, then called the Department of Employ-
ment and Social Services. The Office was estab-
lished to carry out provisions of Article 49B of
the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Governor's
Code of Fair Practices, the Federal Age Discrimi-
nation in Employment Act of 1967, and future
legislation relating to equal opportunity and affir-
mative action.

The Equal Opportunity Office is mandated to
assure equal employment opportunities within the
Department and equal delivery of services to cli-
ents, claimants, and applicants in Departmental
programs. The Office makes these opportunities
and services available without regard to race, col-
or, religion, age, national origin, political opinion
or affiliation, marital status, or mental or physical
handicap. To accomplish these ends, the Office
must 1) assure the implementation of and compli-
ance with equal opportunity/non-discrimination
laws, rules, and regulations; 2) reduce and elimi-
nate the effects of discrimination in the delivery
of Departmental services; and 3) remove barriers
to equal employment.

The Equal Opportunity Office is authorized to
initiate, coordinate, and investigate complaints of
discrimination related to employment in and ser-
vices provided by and through the Department.
The Office also evaluates the Department's equal
opportunity programs.

DISPLACED HOMEMAKERS
PROGRAM

Carol Chase Smith, Project Officer

1123 N. Eutaw St., Room 406
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-5642

Sondra Weinstein, Statewide Coordinator

2517 N. Charles St.
Baltimore 21218 Telephone: 366-8570

The Maryland Displaced Homemakers Pro-
gram was created in 1976 as a pilot project to
provide a variety of supportive counseling, train-
ing and employment assistance services to home-
makers who find themselves "displaced" and
without, or with substantially reduced, income in
their middle years. Such homemakers have be-
come "displaced" as the result of separation, di-

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vorce, the death or disability of a family member
previously depended upon for support, or other
circumstances.

The project was established as a permanent
State Project in 1979 and was extended from one
metropolitan service center to other regions of the
State. It is funded through the Department of
Human Resources (Chapter 637, Acts of 1976;
Chapter 339, Acts of 1979).

A displaced homemaker is defined as an indi-
vidual who is over thirty-five who has been pri-
marily a homemaker; is not gainfully employed;
has had or would have difficulty in finding em-
ployment; and has depended on income of a fami-
ly member which is no longer available or on
government assistance for which the homemaker
is no longer eligible.

Services are provided by a network of nine au-
tonomous, locally administered programs. Pro-
gram services to encourage self-sufficiency include
personal career counseling, job/career workshops,
peer support groups, job-training opportunities,
employment assistance, informational workshops,
and resource referral.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON
HISPANIC AFFAIRS

Chairperson: Aurelio F. Goichochea, 1983
Vice-Chairperson: Emilia B. Montes, 1985

Dorita de Lemos Down, 1983; Alcides Pinto,
1983; Judith C. Toth. 1983; Israel Valdes, Sr.,
1983; Esther Cueto, 1984; Juan Diaz, 1984;
Rev. Dalton D. Downs, 1984; Dr. Donald W.
O'Connell, 1984; Michael Trias-Fraticelli, 1984;
Fred S. Anderson, 1985; Ernest J. Lazlo, 1985;
Raul Nieves, 1985; Emilio Perche-Rivas, 1985.

Ex officio members: Charles R. Buck, Jr., Secre-
tary of Health and Mental Hygiene; Ruth
Massinga, Secretary of Human Resources; Da-
vid W. Hornbeck, State Superintendent of
Schools; James 0. Roberson, Secretary of Eco-
nomic and Community Development; F. David
Schad, Executive Aide to the Governor; Antonio
Suarez-Simon.

Carlos E. Anzoategui, Executive Director

Globe Building, Suite 404
817 Silver Spring Avenue
Silver Spring 20910 Telephone: 565-3211

The Commission was originally appointed by
the Governor on May 14, 1971, as the Commis-
sion on the Concerns of Spanish-Speaking People.
The Commission was renamed the Governor's
Commission on Hispanic Affairs in December