March In-Person Systemwide Gathering
One-Stop Operator Updates
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the March 2026 Systemwide Meeting. scaleLIT, as the One-Stop Operator (OSO) serving Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) 7 through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, hosts these quarterly gatherings to share American Job Center updates, highlight workforce initiatives, and strengthen coordination across our regional workforce system.
This quarter’s meeting took place in person at Malcolm X College and brought together partners from across the American Job Center network to exchange updates, share strategies, and explore emerging workforce development opportunities.
During the meeting, the OSO team shared highlights from the March 2026 Systemwide Update, covering activity from the second quarter of Program Year 2026. The update outlines key developments across the network, including:
Ongoing technical assistance and partner meetings at the four Comprehensive American Job Centers
Continued growth of the Disco learning management system, which now includes more than 305 workforce partners
Progress in strengthening the Universal Referral System through Airtable, which has facilitated more than 4,600 referrals across LWIA 7 organizations
The quarterly Systemwide Update also includes information on OSO meetings, communications, cross-training opportunities, business services collaboration, and AJC orientation materials available to partners across the network.
Cross-Training Spotlight: Maximizing the Impact of CEJA with WIOA
A highlight of the meeting was our Cross-Training Spotlight panel, which explored how workforce partners can maximize the impact of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in coordination with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs.
The discussion focused on how clean energy workforce investments can expand access, equity, and opportunity for job seekers across Cook County while strengthening career pathways into growing industries.
We were pleased to welcome the following panelists:
Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor, PhD, OAI, Inc.
Keisha Davis-Johnson, Greater West Town Project
Grace Garcia, Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC)
Juan Carlos Linares, Association House of Chicago
The panel was moderated by scaleLIT Board President Manny Rodriguez of Revolution Workshop, who guided a dynamic discussion on how community-based organizations and workforce programs can align CEJA training initiatives with existing workforce development systems.
Pictured, from left to right: Keisha Davis-Johnson, Grace Garcia, Sandra Daliaghor, Phd, Manny Rodriguez, and Becky Raymond
Panelists shared insights on building equitable training pathways, expanding access to clean energy careers, and strengthening collaboration between workforce partners and sector initiatives. They emphasized that strong collaboration across workforce partners is essential to maximizing the impact of CEJA investments. Moderator Manny Rodriguez framed the conversation by highlighting how deeper coordination between community-based organizations, training providers, and employers can help break down silos in the workforce system. He underscored the importance of “collaboration over competition” and noted that braided funding strategies, in which multiple funding streams are coordinated to support participants, can help organizations address barriers more holistically, serve more individuals, and achieve stronger employment outcomes.
Panelists also shared examples of how their organizations are preparing job seekers for careers in construction, manufacturing, and the growing clean energy sector. Juan Carlos Linares of Association House of Chicago discussed the organization’s Solar Panel and Core Construction Program, which prepares participants for careers in construction and renewable energy industries. Grace Garcia of CAIC described how their team serves as recruiters and “boots on the ground,” helping connect individuals across the community to workforce opportunities and training programs. Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor of OAI, Inc. highlighted training programs that support unemployed or underemployed individuals by providing instruction in environmental safety, manufacturing, and construction, while promoting worker health and safety.
Keisha Davis-Johnson of Greater West Town Project shared insights from the Greater West Town Project's Woodworkers Training Program, a hands-on vocational initiative that prepares participants for careers in woodworking and manufacturing. Participants gain skills in cabinetmaking, blueprint reading, machine operation, and furniture fabrication, and receive job placement support from local employers. She also highlighted Greater West Town’s employer engagement strategy, including an employer committee that meets twice each year to ensure training programs remain aligned with industry needs.
Throughout the discussion, panelists reiterated the importance of wraparound supports, employer partnerships, and cross-agency collaboration to ensure job seekers can access training opportunities and successfully transition into sustainable careers.
In addition to the panel, we celebrated some well-deserved recognitions. OSO Career Navigators shared the leaderboard results from the last quarter and gave shoutouts to:
★ Airtable All-Star Leader: Omar Sanchez, Harper College
★ Survey All-Star: American Job Center @ Malcolm X College West Side Campus, SERCO
★ Disco Engagement: Joanna Morillo with BCS, Doug Potts with IDES North Region, and Jonathan Meter with Pui Tak
Resources and Materials: Access the Quarterly Update
The March 2026 Systemwide Update brochure, including detailed metrics, resources, and partner tools, is available for partners to review and download. All quarterly materials are also available through Disco, the LWIA 7 learning and collaboration platform.
Click here to download the presentation and review the updates shared
Stay Connected
If you have questions or would like to follow up with the OSO Career Navigation Team, please reach out:
AJC in Wheeling: mandeep@scalelit.org
AJC in Pilsen: germania@scalelit.org
AJC at Prairie State College: candace@scalelit.org
AJC at the King Center: carla@scalelit.org
Our next systemwide meeting will be held in June. If you would like to propose topics or any other feedback, please reach out to the OSO Career Navigation Team!
Thank you again for your continued partnership and commitment to strengthening workforce access and opportunity across Chicago and suburban Cook County.
