Congratulations to MEA member Schamiqua D’Amato for receiving the 2025 Eagle Award from DSS/HRA/DHS. The Eagle Award is presented to colleagues who exemplify the agency’s core values: Service, Respect, Transparency, or Accountability. This award is voted by agency staff members.
Schamiqua D’Amato is the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Career Services Provider, Client, and Business Services at the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), a division of the Department of Social Services (DSS). In this role, she oversees a comprehensive portfolio exceeding $230 million, encompassing key workforce development initiatives such as Career Pathways (including CareerCompass and CareerAdvance), Business Link, HireNYC-Human Services, and Pathways to Industrial Careers in Construction and Transportation (PINCC). These programs collectively serve thousands of New Yorkers, empowering them to achieve economic self-sufficiency through targeted employment and training opportunities.
Previously, Ms. D’Amato has also overseen the Career Pathways: YouthPathways and Jobs Plus Programs, further demonstrating her commitment to fostering workforce development and economic mobility. She played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of groundbreaking initiatives such as the Family Independence Administration (FIA) Home Visit Needed/Reasonable Accommodation Request unit (BAC #90), which handles home visit requests for individuals with disabilities in all five NYC boroughs in need of accessing services, and the NYC Fair Fares reduced fare transit program, which launched in 2019 and aimed to provide residents with low income a 50% discount on subway and bus fares.
In her current role, Ms. D’Amato is responsible for establishing and implementing strategic goals, policies, and procedures that ensure services are responsive to the diverse needs of clients across DSS, HRA, and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). This includes integrating evidence-based practices and demand-driven workforce development strategies to enhance client outcomes. A key aspect of her role involves leading a dedicated team of managerial staff, fostering a collaborative environment to drive operational excellence.
Ms. D’Amato serves as one of the principal liaisons for career services, providing strategic guidance and support to internal partners and external stakeholders. She collaborates with internal partners, community-based organizations, and NYC agencies to shape workforce initiatives that align with the evolving needs of the communities served.
In recognition of her dedication and commitment to helping New York’s most vulnerable populations, Ms. D’Amato was honored with the 2025 Eagle Award. This accolade is a testament to her unwavering dedication to public service and the betterment of the community. She is privileged to work alongside some of the most brilliant, hardworking, resilient, and innovative staff members at NYC DSS, DHS, and HRA.
