|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reorganization of the Cook County Juvenile Court Legal Division of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
In response to a sharp increase in cases and problems meeting a court order, while at the same time being under the daily scrutiny of the press due to a high profile death of a child, LW Jacobs & Associates was asked to review the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) caseworker system in Cook County Juvenile Court and recommend ways to improve it. This required bringing together many different divisions from within DCFS, as well as various units from within County, State and City governments. The final recommendations, which we helped implement, involved replacing twelve caseworkers with forty new attorneys, relocating them to a new office complex, and redesigning most of their systems and procedures. The reorganization improved the relationship between the courts and the caseworkers, strengthened the case tracking system, which reduced the number of abuse cases slipping through the cracks, and enabled caseworkers to be more effective in their work with abused children.
|
Youth Services Case Study #1
|
|
|
|
Creation of Chicago Intervention Network.
In the wake of the tragic shooting of a promising young basketball star, Leslie Jacobs was asked by Mayor Washington to study and recommend effective programming to reduce youth crime. She formed and led the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Crime, which brought together social service agencies and local law enforcement with gang crime experts from throughout the Country. The recommendation, based on the work of the Task Force, resulted in the creation of the Chicago Intervention Network – a comprehensive youth gang crime program that combined the efforts of both the public and private sectors.
|
Youth Services Case Study #2
|
|
|
|
Creation of Stage Door Café Teen Program.
In response to a community problem of teenagers roaming the streets, Leslie Jacobs created a teen music program to give teen bands an opportunity to play in a real theater in front of an audience of their peers, friends and family. After five years, the program -- Stage Door Café -- continues to draw over 100 youth at each performance. As a result, teens not only have a place to go, but many are motivated to learn to play music and participate in other after school activities, which further reduces the number of teens roaming the streets. This program recently won a national award and funding through the American Medical Women’s Association and Pharmacia Corporation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Report of the Mayor’s Task Force on Hunger.
During a year when reliance on emergency food programs was peaking, and human need was outstripping resources, a coalition of forty social service providers was formed to study and resolve the problem. However, they were unable to reach agreement. Leslie Jacobs was asked to assist the task force president in developing a report that would be acceptable to all and contain recommendations that the Mayor could then implement. Her Report of the Mayor’s Task Force on Hunger received national attention, including a positive review in the International Herald Tribune. Many of the recommendations were implemented, leading to the expansion of such agencies as the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an affiliate of America's Second Harvest, which is the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legalization of Homeless Shelters in Chicago.
Learning that the City of Chicago zoning code did not permit homeless shelters to operate within city limits, and recognizing that the city was funding these shelters in violation of federal funding laws, Leslie Jacobs recommended to Mayor Washington that the zoning code be amended. Working closely with homeless shelter providers and government agencies, she drafted language to legalize shelters and win the support of City Council. As a result of its passage, government funding to homeless shelters increased, which increased bed capacity and improved safety conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management and Procedural Review of Operations Division of Detroit Housing Commission.
Teaming with Joseph Shuldiner and Associates, a national firm hired by Detroit’s Mayor to recommend whether the Detroit Housing Commission should become an independent authority, LW Jacobs & Associates was asked to perform a review of its Operations Division. The review consisted of site interviews and case audits, as well as interviews with central management staff. Results of this review were incorporated into the final report that gave an assessment of the organization’s strengths and opportunities for change, and is being used to guide DHC in its progress toward independent status.
|
Arts and Recreation Case Study #1
|
|
|
|
Expansion of the Beverly Art Center.
Leslie Jacobs led the board and staff of the Beverly Art Center through a strategic planning process that resulted in a vision for a larger facility. Soon after, she was elected President of the Board of Directors and was the driving force behind the project. She became intimately involved with all aspects of running a successful art center and theater and worked closely with the architects in designing a space that would meet the art center’s future programming needs. She also was active in the $9 million capital campaign to build the new 40,000 square foot facility, including raising $5 million in State funds and arranging a donation of 2.1 acres of land from the City of Chicago. The new facility is scheduled to open September 2002.
|
Arts and Recreation Case Study #2
|
|
|
|
Merger of Program Services and City-Wide Recreation Divisions of Chicago Park District.
LW Jacobs & Associates was asked by the Chicago Park District to develop a plan for merging its two major operating divisions as a way to improve the management structure, open lines of communication, bring parity between staff positions and improve staff morale. Using a team building approach, task groups were developed in each region. Each group was convened to provide information and to serve as a sounding board and conduit for communicating to each local park. A centralized planning committee was formed, consisting of representatives from each regional task group and from central office, to work with the consultants in the development of the final recommendations. The project was effective in informing management of staff needs and concerns, as well as providing a plan of action for accomplishing the merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development and Reorganization of City Services.
As an internal consultant for the City of Chicago, Leslie Jacobs reorganized the Chicago Department of Consumer Services, led the team to reorganize the Chicago Department of Human Services, developed a hazardous materials emergency response plan, conducted a national study of the 9-1-1 system, and streamlined the City’s building permit process. Each of these projects improved the effectiveness of city services in order to better serve and protect Chicago’s residents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creation of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
As Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability, Leslie Jacobs was asked by Mayor Daley to design a new department for people with disabilities. To do this, it was necessary to take into account Federal grants and guidelines, organizational structure, programming, client needs, staffing requirements, union issues, reporting systems, and contracted services, as well as office space, desks, telephones, and parking issues. The new department has been successfully operating since 1991 and has given higher visibility, as well as improved services, to people with disabilities in the City of Chicago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review of Disabilities / Mental Health Components of the Chicago Department of Human Services’ Head Start Program.
LW Jacobs & Associates conducted a comprehensive study of the process and guidelines used by CDHS-funded agencies and personnel to determine whether Head Start children are in need of special disability and mental health services, and whether the needed services are case appropriate and provided in a timely fashion. The review included site interviews and case audits, as well as interviews with central office management and service providers. The final report was submitted to CDHS then forwarded to Head Start administrators in Washington, D.C. as evidence supporting the need for policy changes and funding increases.
|
|
|
Home | Our Services | Our Clients | Our Organization
About Leslie Jacobs | Contact Us
Powered by DoItYourSelfSiteBuilder
|
