JCFS Chicago is one of six agencies that are partners in the Strategic Workforce Opportunity Collaborative (SWOC). This collaborative of trusted workforce professionals focuses on increasing employment opportunities for Chicagoland individuals with disabilities, and just as important, assisting employers in hiring qualified, pre-screened candidates.

“We are a resource to businesses for finding talented, qualified individuals who happen to have a disability,” said JCFS Senior Director of Employment Nanette Cohen.

Because the agencies in the Collaborative are based across the Chicagoland, area they meet twice a month virtually, and recently representatives from each gathered in person downtown to develop a strategic plan going forward.

Nanette said they share leads and collaborate on how to better serve the employers and provide them with the skilled talent they need. During their last meeting, the group set two goals for the next six months.

“Our goal is to provide employer education around hiring people with disabilities,” Nanette said. “And we want to help them fill their openings with qualified, prescreened individuals."