Short Course Description
NEW COUNSELORS TRAINING – 32 HOURS ONLINE
Dates: July 29 – August 1, 2024 | 8:30-4:30 Est.
Course Duration: 32 Hours
Course Overview:
The EEO Counselor Course is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to serve as effective EEO Counselors at the entry level using the MD-110 guidelines. The course covers the full spectrum of EEO processes and prepares participants to handle complaints and resolve issues fairly and efficiently.
Key Learning Objectives:
- EEO Process Overview: Understand the complete EEO process as outlined in 29 C.F.R. Part 1614, including important timeframes, class complaints, and fragmentation issues.
- EEO Counselor Roles: Learn the duties and responsibilities of an EEO Counselor, including ethical standards and best practices for managing EEO cases.
- Relevant EEO Laws: Gain knowledge of key statutes enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), such as:Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964)
The Equal Pay Act (1963)
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (1967)
Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973)
Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (2008) - Theories of Discrimination: Understand different theories of discrimination, including disparate treatment, adverse impact, and reasonable accommodation, with detailed instructions on handling class actions and fragmentation.
- Practical Skills Development: Practice EEO counseling through role-playing, including initial intake sessions, identifying claims, writing reports, and resolution attempts.
- Alternative Procedures: Learn about other options available to aggrieved persons, such as going directly to court under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, mixed case processing, class complaints, and negotiated grievance procedures.
- Remedies Overview: Get an overview of available remedies, including compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and costs.
- ADR Processes: Explore the agency’s informal and formal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
Instructor(s)
Natasha Luna
Natasha Luna is a a Multifaceted EEO Professional (Specialist, Counselor, Investigator, Mediator, and Educator)
With a distinguished career that transitions from military service to federal EEO specialization, Natasha Luna stands as a testament to dedication, versatility, and expertise in the realm of Equal Employment Opportunity. As a EEO Specialist and Counselor within the federal government and a contracted EEO Investigator and Mediator for Gant Global Services, Natasha's journey is a beacon of impactful contributions and a steadfast commitment to fairness, inclusion, and professional development.
Natasha's foray into the principles of EEO began during her commendable tenure in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Here, her roles as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and Equal Opportunity (EO) Point of Contact not only honed her understanding of equality and diversity issues but also laid the foundational ethos for her future endeavors in EEO.
Upon honorably completing six years of active duty, Natasha seamlessly transitioned to a federal civilian role, enhancing her career trajectory as the Special Emphasis Program Manager and Diversity and Inclusion Officer. This pivotal role not only highlighted her capability in managing diverse teams but also catalyzed her progression into specialized fields of EEO and law enforcement, all within the federal government.
Boasting an impressive track record, Natasha has counseled over 400 EEO complaints in the informal stage, investigated and compiled over 300 formal EEO complaints, and mediated over 350 EEO-related disputes. Her extensive certifications in all matters EEO—including the New EEO Counselor's course, EEO Investigators course, and advanced mediation—underscore her depth of knowledge and unwavering dedication to the field.
Beyond her formal qualifications, Natasha is multi-lingual and possesses phenomenal interpersonal skills, critical for effective communication and cultural competence in the complex landscapes of EEO and mediation.
A passionate advocate for professional development, Natasha is committed to providing engaging and empowering training for emerging EEO professionals. She envisions training sessions that not only impart essential knowledge and skills but also foster an environment where students feel comfortable and confident in their abilities to become exemplary EEO professionals. Through her dedication to education and mentorship, Natasha aims to inspire a new generation of EEO professionals equipped with the tools to champion equality and diversity in the workplace.
