Our 3-Year Transition: From Direct Services to Systems Transformation
A Message to Our Community
For close to a decade, Impact Equitable Justice has walked alongside jobseekers, workers, and families—offering direct services, guidance, and support. Through this work, we’ve learned something important: the challenges people face are not individual failures. They’re the result of barriers built into the systems meant to support them.
To create change that lasts, we need to transform those systems.
That is why, over the next three years, we are thoughtfully transitioning away from a direct service model and moving into full-scale workforce systems transformation and innovation.
This shift will be gradual, transparent, and centered on the needs and experiences of the people we serve.
Why Are We Making This Shift
Through conversations with jobseekers, partners, and employers, we’ve seen that:
- Direct services help hundreds of people each year
- But systems transformation can help thousands
- Many of the barriers' people face—transportation, hiring practices, credential requirements, training access—are structural
- Systems change requires a different kind of leadership: research, innovation, partnership, and accountability
Transitioning to systems transformation means we can:
- Build a more equitable regional workforce ecosystem
- Influence policies and practices that shape economic opportunity
- Create solutions at scale
- Strengthen coordination among providers, employers, and institutions
- Improve the experience of workers far beyond those we can serve one-on-one
What's Changing--And What's Not
What's Not Changing
- Our commitment to workers and families
- Our values
- Our belief in dignity, opportunity, and equity
- Our role in elevating community voice
- Our partnership with local organizations and employers
What's Changing
- We will slowly reduce direct services over three years
- We will expand systems research, workforce innovation, policy influence, and ecosystem leadership
- Customers will transition into partner programs with warm handoffs and support
How This Affects Current Customers
We want to be clear:
You are not losing support.
We will:
- Maintain services during the first phase of the transition
- Provide individual transition planning for every customer
- Offer warm handoffs to trusted partners
- Continue navigation and referrals
- Host listening sessions and Q&A opportunities
- Give you clear updates every step of the way
If you have questions or need support, our team is here.
3-Year Transition Timeline
Below is a high-level view of what to expect as our work evolves.
Year 1 — Stability + Early Systems Work
- All major direct services remain available
- Begin piloting systems-change and innovation projects
- Strengthen partner collaborations
- Launch customer communication and transition planning
Year 2 — Gradual Program Evolution
- Some direct services shift to partner organizations
- Increased systems research, policy work, and employer engagement
- Customers receive individualized transition pathways
- Navigation and warm handoffs continue
Year 3 — Full Systems-Transformation Model
- Direct services fully transitioned to partner ecosystem
- Organization operates as a workforce systems innovation and transformation leader
- Continued community voice, research, and convening
- Ongoing support through referrals and navigation tools
General Questions
Hi there! Have some questions about our company? Find the answers below.