(Chicago) – The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) joins Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to announce the 31 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) selected to hire individuals for Chicago’s COVID Contact Tracing Corps (Corps). In July, The Partnership received a two-year, $56 million grant from the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to serve as the Lead Coordinating Organization overseeing this program.

“As a city, it is our responsibility to ensure all our residents are safe and supported during these uncertain times,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “By creating much-needed jobs to support our city-wide response to COVID-19, the COVID Contact Tracing Corps and Resource Coordination Hub will help communities impacted the most by this disease to stay afloat and invest in their career pathways. We are proud to partner with The Partnership and our CBOs on this one-of-a-kind initiative and look forward to working together to continue empowering residents as they create the bright futures they deserve.”

The Partnership and its collaborators will offer the contact tracers ongoing professional development and “Earn and Learn” opportunities designed with input from public health experts and private sector institutions. Through the Earn and Learn program, participants can gain credentials and permanent placement in allied health and adjacent occupations.