BALTIMORE, MD. (Tuesday, March 14, 2023) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott accepted the resignation of the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) Director Jason Perkins-Cohen. Mackenzie Garvin will be taking over as the Acting Director in Perkins-Cohen's absence. Garvin is a valuable member of the team and the Scott Administration is confident that she will continue to lead with the same level of commitment and dedication that we have come to expect. Perkins-Cohen's resignation is effective Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

For almost a decade, Jason Perkins-Cohen dedicated himself to serving Baltimoreans by connecting them to economic opportunities that set them on the path to financial freedom," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "I wish Mr. Perkins-Cohen all of the best in his future endeavors, and it has been my honor and privilege to watch the transformation of this office over the years."

Under Perkins-Cohen's leadership, MOED expanded its focus from connecting residents to employment opportunities to fighting for economic justice.

Throughout his eight year tenure, Perkins-Cohen and his team have furthered the mission of the agency by creating programs and policies to ensure that every resident has access to viable economic opportunities.

"It has been a tremendous honor to serve my hometown and work within the agency to bring truth to our shared value that ‘every resident deserves the opportunity for meaningful work and a hopeful future," said Jason Perkins-Cohen. "Thank you Mayor Scott for entrusting me and for your historic investment in the city's workforce that is paying dividends now and for generations to come."

During his tenure, Jason guided the agency to accomplish the following:

• Over 30,000 city residents secured a job with the average wage at placement increasing in each of his eight years and over 50% during his tenure

• Expanded the city's summer jobs program, YouthWorks, by 60% in the first year on the job becoming one of the five largest programs in the nation (per capita) and securing millions of dollars in private and public investment
• Developed multiple, highly acclaimed city-wide job training strategies including One Baltimore for Jobs, Grads2Careers, and Train Up initiatives that have helped 1000s of residents obtain the skills they need to advance to a high-wage career
• Expanded access to job assistance by creating the innovative Community Job Hub and Mobile Navigation model pushing services directly into neighborhoods that have received less investment historically
• Developed multiple transitional jobs programs including Baltimore Health Corps, Hire Up, and Clean Corps that created paid public service opportunities for residents
• Created the framework for a truly coordinated workforce network that included establishing partnerships throughout the city including:
  • Embracing an "Access Point" strategy with workforce partners throughout the city using a platform that allows community organizations to cross-refer residents so they receive the best and most appropriate service to meet their needs.
• Investing in legal, behavioral health and financial empowerment services so that residents can receive these critical supports not only in the city's workforce centers but in networked partners throughout the city.