 Figure 1 (From Left to right) BCPI Advisor Chaeny Emanavin, i-team Manager Paul Elliott, i-team Senior Project Manager Dr. Lindsay Quarles, i-team Director Jenny Kessler, i-team Service Designer Marie Lachance, i-team Web Developer Peter Varley, BCPI Advisor Juliahna Green
Dear Friends,
As the year draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of the District government's innovation team. This time last year, we set out with a clear mission: to deepen public awareness of the impact of innovation on local government and forge stronger bonds between residents and District government.
A Brighter Future for D.C. Hiring
Our transformative journey has already begun to reshape the hiring landscape in D.C. By blending technology and human-centric strategies, we're making the District a more inclusive and efficient place to work. This year, we:
-
Researched and ideated: We listened to nearly 100 job seekers and surveyed 175 more, gathering crucial insights into the current hiring process. We then engaged almost 100 residents and District government personnel to generate 138 unique ideas for improvement.
-
Prototyped and tested: We held prototyping sessions with residents in Northeast, Southeast and Northwest, to refine and test new hiring strategies, ensuring they meet the needs of our diverse neighborhoods.
-
Focused on HBCU talent: We conducted focus groups and surveys with 26 students from local HBCUs, tailoring initiatives to their needs and perspectives. We also partnered with the District Department of Human Resources, the Department of Employment Services, Howard University and UDC to launch the "HBCU Public Service Program," providing a direct pathway to rewarding public service careers for 25 graduating seniors.
-
Reimagined Careers.DC.Gov: We spearheaded the redesign of the careers.dc.gov website, prioritizing a user-friendly experience and highlighting high-impact jobs and critical vacancies. We also enhanced the website's functionality and accessibility, making the application process smoother and more efficient for everyone.
-
Amplified our reach: We collaborated with an external organization to plan the launch of a comprehensive marketing campaign, including eye-catching DC Bus ads, positioning the District government as a top employer.
-
Gratitude Survey Launch and Results: Launched late October, to date, receiving 185 responses, 440 gratitude nominations, 185 nominations for people, 173 nominations for places and 82 nominations for things, reflecting community engagement.
Looking Ahead: A New Era of Public Service
We're excited to share that our work is far from over. In the year ahead, we'll be building on our progress with ambitious Phase II plans, including:
-
HBCU Recruitment Program: We'll identify participating agencies, refine timelines, and develop a dedicated program webpage.
-
Website Re-vamp: We'll continue improving the careers.dc.gov website based on user feedback.
-
Talent Pool Development: We'll fine-tune our proactive recruitment strategies with refined competencies and training materials.
-
Enhanced Communication: We'll ensure candidates receive consistent updates on their hiring status through improved communication protocols.
-
Centralized Opportunity: We'll make careers.dc.gov the central hub for most District government jobs, offering a comprehensive job listing platform.
-
Engaging Vacancy Announcements: We'll make vacancy announcements clear, concise, and engaging through research, legal consultations, and iterative testing.
-
Strategic Marketing and Advertising: We'll establish a dedicated marketing team, allocate budget resources, and collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen the District government's brand presence.
We believe in fostering a proactive and iterative approach. With your ongoing support and feedback, we're confident that District government will become a haven for talent, and public service will continue to be recognized as a fulfilling and impactful career choice.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. We look forward to shaping a brighter future together!
Sincerely,
Jenny Kessler, Director
 The District's collaboration with Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) for the HBCU Public Service Program has sparked widespread interest and generated a captivating media narrative. This analysis delves deeper than the headlines, exploring the montage of news coverage to reveal the program's diverse perspectives and potential impact.
A Symphony of Voices
Media outlets like The Hilltop, The Washington Informer, and Black Enterprise echo the program's ambitious goals, robust structure, and potential to nurture future leaders in line with Mayor Bowser's vision. However, publications like The Hilltop also provide critical balance, highlighting concerns about tokenism voiced by Professor Richmond Danso. This reflects a commitment to presenting a holistic view of the program.
Ground-Level Perspectives
Student and faculty voices from Howard University add a personal touch to the media narrative. Their insights offer an intimate glimpse into the HBCU community and its hopes for the program's success.
The Practical Lens
The Washington Informer and Black Enterprise provide a practical lens, focusing on concrete details like specific program roles, the involvement of the Department of Employment Services (DOES), and the program's expected impact on essential government services.
Beyond Sunny Skies
While the overall tone of the coverage is optimistic, it also acknowledges existing challenges within the D.C. government, such as staffing shortages and service delivery hurdles. This paints a realistic picture of the program's potential and the ongoing efforts needed for success.
A Mosaic of Innovation
The media coverage highlights the HBCU Public Service Program as a prime example of a growing trend in public sector innovation. It showcases collaboration between government and educational institutions to foster progress and inclusion.
Community Echoes
By weaving in student and faculty voices, the media narrative demonstrates the program's potential to resonate within the broader community, promoting a more inclusive and representative public service.
A National Story
This initiative isn't just local. The media coverage positions it within a larger, national context, highlighting similar endeavors in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina. This broader perspective emphasizes the program's potential to spark a national movement towards inclusive public service and deeper HBCU engagement.
Conclusion
The media portrayal of the District's HBCU Public Service Program is anything but superficial. It presents a multi-faceted, insightful, and deeply engaging narrative that underscores the program's significance and its far-reaching implications for public service innovation and community engagement. As government personnel, recruiters, and hiring managers, we are not merely observers; we are participants in this unfolding story of transformation and growth.
News Resources:
 In an original and creative move to foster civic participation, the innovation team launched “GratitudePowersDC” in late October. This pioneering campaign aims to gather insights into the diverse experiences and feelings of appreciation among District residents, culminating in a public art installation set for early 2024.
The initiative invites residents, employees, and visitors to the District to share moments of their day that sparked gratitude. Whether it's a memorable interaction, a particular place, or a simple everyday occurrence, the campaign seeks to paint a picture of the myriad reasons people appreciate life in the District of Columbia.
Participation and Early Response
Since its launch on October 31, the “Gratitude Powers DC” survey has seen participation from diverse quarters of the District. Out of 185 respondents thus far, 69% are District residents, and 31% are District government employees. Notably, 17% of the responses came from residents of Ward 7, followed closely by Wards 4 and 5. African Americans constitute the majority of respondents at 54%, with other ethnicities also represented.
Participants have so far expressed gratitude for over 400 people, places, and things in the District, highlighting the rich tapestry of experiences that make the D.C. distinctive. The survey will remain open, offering a platform for everyone to share their appreciation and contribute to this original initiative.
Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous, taking less than 20 minutes to complete.
Transformative Power of Gratitude
“GratitudePowersDC” centers on using gratitude to unify and strengthen neighborhoods. By acknowledging and sharing what makes the District a place of gratitude, the initiative aims to foster a stronger sense of community and belonging.
Community-Driven Public Art Installation
In early 2024, expressions of gratitude collected from the survey will be transformed into a public art installation. This installation is envisioned as a celebration of the District's shared appreciation for its people, places, and experiences, turning individual moments of gratitude into a collective expression of the city's spirit.
#GratitudePowersDC: A Movement to Celebrate the Heart of D.C.
For further information and to participate in the survey, visit https://tinyurl.com/3xa6n58y. Join the movement and share what you're grateful for in D.C. #GratitudePowersDC.
 Figure 2. i-team Service Designer Marie Lachance
Marie Lachance, a seasoned Service Designer with a public policy and Human-Centered Design (HCD) background, joins the i-team to embed HCD principles across projects. Recognized for her transformative work at Deloitte's Government and Public Sector practice, she redefined the college application process to focus on underrepresented minority students. At Deloitte Greenhouse, Marie, as a GPS Fellow, developed strategy and innovation workshops, enhancing client relationships and engagement. She's also known for designing an extensive 18-course HCD curriculum, educating over 400 Deloitte practitioners and further strengthening Greenhouse's HCD capabilities. Marie's expertise positions her to significantly bolster the District's focus on equity and innovation.
MOI News: Welcome to this months’ installation of Digital Livewire. We're excited to have Marie Lachance, the Bowser Administration’s Service Designer for the i-team.
MOI News: Marie, your role is pivotal in integrating human-centered design into government projects. Can you tell us more about what this involves?
Marie: Absolutely. As a Service Designer, my primary focus is on embedding human-centered design principles in our projects. This means I work closely with the i-team and stakeholders to create user journey maps, organize co-creation workshops, and lead our team in prototyping and testing solutions. It’s all about understanding and prioritizing the needs of our residents.
MOI News: That sounds incredibly impactful. With your background in Public Policy from Brown University and experience at Deloitte, how do you see these experiences influencing your current role?
Marie: My journey through public policy and human-centered design has been marked by a strong focus on innovation and inclusion. At Deloitte, I led projects that revolutionized the college application process, emphasizing the experiences of underrepresented minority students. I believe that applying these insights and my agile project management skills can significantly contribute to making government services more accessible and user-friendly.
MOI News: You've also been involved in curriculum design and facilitation. How has this aspect of your career shaped your approach with the i-team?
Marie: I’m passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge. At Deloitte, I designed an 18-course human-centered design curriculum, reaching hundreds of practitioners annually. Bringing this educational approach to the i-team allows us to continuously grow and apply the latest HCD principles to better serve the residents of the District.
MOI News: That's quite impressive. Lastly, what are your goals as the Service Designer in the Bowser Administration?
Marie: I'm honored to be part of this administration. My goal is to advance our commitment to equity and innovation. I aim to ensure that the voices of District residents are not just heard, but actively shape our projects. Ultimately, I hope my work contributes to making government services more impactful for every resident in our District.
MOI News: Marie, thank you for sharing your insights and your inspiring journey with us. We wish you the best in your endeavors with the i-team.
Marie: Thank you. It’s an exciting time to be in public service, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.
|
