Chicago’s most vulnerable residents—those facing barriers like housing insecurity, unemployment, and lack of access to training—often fall through the cracks of the workforce system. The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) wanted to change that by building stronger connections across nonprofits, employers, and community organizations.
With RiseKit’s workforce technology, DFSS was able to create a more coordinated system that makes it easier for people to access the right resources at the right time. By integrating participant tracking, barrier identification, and referral management, DFSS staff gained real-time visibility into outcomes across programs. This collaborative approach allowed the city to address challenges earlier, reduce program drop-offs, and improve job placements for residents who had historically been left behind.
The impact was clear: innovation and collaboration helped transform fragmented services into a unified pathway for economic mobility. DFSS not only improved results for individuals but also strengthened trust and accountability among community partners.