Gratitude Powers DC: The Capital's Heart
Revealed Through Stories of Appreciation
February 23, 2024
UDC Senior on Firebird Wednesday, February 14, 2024, signs up for HBCU Public Service Program.
In a city famed for its bustling social scene, a quiet transformation of gratitude is redefining the District's essence. Launched by the Mayor's Office of Innovation in October 2023, the Gratitude Powers DC initiative is shifting the focus from the material to the profound, from infrastructure to the heart of the community. This project seeks to illuminate the boundless spirit of the capital, revealing its wellspring of strength – its people.
By February 12th, 2024, the response from across the District has been eye-opening. A vibrant tapestry of appreciation emerged from 284 individuals who shared 647 stories. While each story is a unique gem, common threads bind them, showcasing the shared values and dynamic spirit of DC residents.
A Year in Review and Looking Ahead
December 8, 2023
(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.
Innovation Team's Progress Report:
D.C.’s Hiring Process Advances
November 9, 2023
As the i-team's transformative journey continues, it promises a brighter, efficient, and more inclusive hiring landscape for D.C. By harmoniously blending tech-centric solutions with human-centric strategies, the i-team is poised to bring about meaningful and measurable change in the District's recruitment and hiring practices. With its unwavering commitment to collaboration, innovation, and feedback, the i-team not only aims to elevate the hiring process but also seeks to lay a foundation for public sector innovation, ensuring the District government serves its residents with unparalleled efficacy.
Seeking Stability Amid Uncertainty: The Tale of D.C.'s Job Hunters
October 17, 2023
The District of Columbia witnesses a silent, personal struggle daily: that of thousands seeking a stable job in an unstable economy. Beyond the capital’s corridors of power, the District’s pulse beats with tales of hope, resilience, and desperation.
For many, this journey starts on a high note, with optimism reigning. But with each unanswered application, hopes dim. Jobseekers tread a world overflowing with connections, yet isolation haunts their steps. Every news alert about economic downturns or layoffs adds to the pressure.
Co-creating Solutions with Residents, Job Seekers, Recruiters and HR Managers
September 7, 2023
The i-team continues to forge a path forward on the road to improving recruitment and hiring across the District government. As it propels forward, the i-team has seamlessly transitioned from the idea generation phase to the problem definition phase and is now fully immersed in the design and development phase of the hiring project.
During the design and development phase, the i-team refines selected concepts into tangible, practical solutions through meticulous research, prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement. This transformative phase bridges the gap between abstract notions and actionable prototypes or strategies, which are subject to evaluation and enhancement based on valuable feedback. Iterative development ensures the innovation's efficacy and feasibility are maximized.
Improving District Government Recruitment & Hiring
July 27, 2023
The i-team's preliminary analysis reveals that the District government is grappling with the challenge of recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce, primarily due to a complex talent management process.
Identifying the specific areas within the recruitment and hiring processes that require strengthening will directly impact the District government's ability to onboard jobs commonly referred to as "hard-to-fill" positions, such as new social workers, case managers, and experienced medical examiners.
MOPI: Incubating Ideas and Solutions
January 23, 2023
In 2021, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a partnership aimed at transforming the District Government’s digital landscape.
Along with five cities from across the globe, the District received a three-year grant to launch an innovation team (i-team) to focus on digital transformation. The i-team is housed in the Mayor's Office of Policy & Innovation (MOPI). The Philanthropies’ funding and technical expertise supports the i-team in its mission to design new processes and methods to further improve public services and provide a better digital experience for all District residents.