Executing on their strategic plan, the Center for Urban Families (CFUF) determined that building a transitional employment program would be aligned with and fill a critical gap in their workforce development programming for the benefit of participants and the community.
Beginning in 2023 we initiated a discovery process, co-developed with staff and participants at CFUF.
We developed several sets of semi-structured qualitative interview questions focused on elevating staff and members interests in a transitional jobs programs and better understanding member needs and programmatic and operational interests and considerations. We interviewed 12 CFUF staff individually or in group settings. We also facilitated focus group conversations with three sets of STRIVE graduates – recent graduates of STRIVE, graduates who were 6-9 months post program graduation, and established STRIVE program alumni.
Leveraging our findings and existing research, we co-created two program design sprints with senior level program managers to isolate and advance key programmatic and strategic decisions. We facilitated peer-to-peer engagement with other established transitional employment programs. We advised and supported staff in refining and building programmatic elements and building a fundraising and development strategy.
Our work resulted in a multi-pronged program design framework to support the implementation of a transitional employment program pilot for CFUF.
The Intersect:
I cannot recommend highly enough working with Melissa and the
Intersect. Their combination of deep subject matter expertise, excellent project management skills and a client centered focus made them invaluable to our Transitional Employment program design project.”
Zachary Alberts, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, Center for Urban Families