The Partnership Announces 31 Community Based Organizations Selected to Create City’s COVID Contact Tracing Corps – Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

For Immediate Release

Download the press release here[1].

CBOs chosen in a competitive RFP process will employ roughly 500 contract tracing positions to stem COVID-19 transmission in Chicago

(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.

The CBOs named today will hire and supervise the Corps consisting of approximately 500 contact tracers and supervisors, earning $20 and $24 an hour respectively. Contact tracers may work full or part-time hours.

“We are excited to lead this corps of dynamic community organizations of all sizes to offer meaningful employment opportunities through contact tracing jobs and beyond,” said Karin M. Norington-Reaves, CEO of The Partnership. “This initiative furthers our mission of providing economic empowerment through employment.”

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