Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS)

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED FOLLOW-UP TO EMPHASIZE SOCIAL IMPACT

DFSS integrates a community-centered perspective into their follow-up practices, focusing on both program outcomes and the broader social impact of employer partnerships. This approach reinforces the importance of local workforce development and emphasizes how employers’ hiring efforts contribute to community growth.

  • Regular Phone Calls with Focus on Community Impact: DFSS conducts regular phone follow-ups with employers, emphasizing not only individual job performance but also the collective impact of placements on local economic and social goals. During these calls, DFSS highlights how each employer’s involvement contributes to the community’s workforce development initiatives, aligning employer efforts with DFSS’s mission of inclusive economic growth.

  • Community Impact Reports in Follow-Up Communications: DFSS sends periodic reports that include data on local hiring, economic uplift, and social impact metrics. These reports are shared with employers during follow-up conversations to show the broader impact of their hiring practices. By framing follow-up communications around community outcomes, DFSS reinforces the value of the employer’s contributions to societal goals and builds a sense of shared purpose.

  • Semi-Annual Community Impact Review Meetings: Twice a year, DFSS organizes Community Impact Review Meetings with employer partners, focusing on metrics related to local employment, diversity in hiring, and economic growth. These review meetings allow employers to understand the broader implications of their participation in DFSS programs, providing a unique opportunity to see the full scope of their social impact.

  • Tailored Communications to Encourage Continued Engagement: DFSS customizes follow-up communications to emphasize ways in which employers can continue to support community goals, such as through additional hiring or involvement in local initiatives. This tailored approach encourages employers to remain engaged in workforce development programs and strengthens their commitment to the community’s long-term prosperity.