Choose DuPage Human Services Task Force Initiates Best Practices Training for Nonprofits and Human Service Organizations “New Tools for New Times”

(May 25, 2012, Lisle, Ill.) Choose DuPage Human Services Task Force, in conjunction with the DuPage Federation on Human Service Reform, has initiated a new pilot project, New Tools for New Times. The project was created to train key personnel and incorporate best business practices into the human services sector. Through a combination of proven management techniques, the task force aims to help not-for-profits create a flexible plan that will encourage growth and respond to DuPage County’s changing demographics and financial needs. This pilot project is jointly funded by the Choose DuPage Foundation and the DuPage Community Foundation, and the training will be delivered by the Business Innovation Services group at the University of Illinois in Naperville. Financial demands, coupled with rapidly changing demographics and reduced state and federal funding have required human service organizations to reevaluate its business practices in order to create sustainability and growth. An influx of low-income persons moving into DuPage County, along with existing residents suffering from a sluggish economy have resulted in an increased demand for services in the human services sector. Therefore, organizations providing services must respond to this demand by implementing tools that will help them serve the community in an environment of declining resources by increasing efficiency, decreasing error, and eliminating tasks that do not directly help achieve the organization’s mission. “Choose Dupage recognizes that for true change to take place, organizations must be innovative, have a flexible philosophy and be willing to welcome a culture shift at the ground level, including a change in existing behaviors and fundamental beliefs within the organization,” said Greg Bedalov, president & CEO of Choose DuPage. Choose DuPage believes whole-heartedly in the program because the elements it incorporates have a proven track record of success. DuPage County organizations serve as testimony for its success. One such organization is the DuPage County Health Department, which has improved the delivery of services while managing costs in difficult budgetary times. They also assisted in the planning of the New Tools for New Times program. DuPage Habitat for Humanity is another agency that has benefited from the efficiency improvements and ongoing culture change brought about by the implementation of these types of business tools. Choose DuPage is proud to include among the program’s participants some of the region’s most influential and far-reaching human services organizations: • CASA of DuPage • DuPage Homeownership Center • DuPage County Community Services • DuPage PADS • Family Shelter Service • DuPage Health Coalition/Access DuPage • Metropolitan Family Services • People’s Resource Center • West Suburban Community Pantry The highest level leaders from each organization will attend the training, which includes 48 hours of intensive training and implementation assistance over a six-week period.