DC’s Paid Family Leave Outreach Campaign Garners National Award

WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) was named the recipient of the inaugural Excellence in Communications Award for its Building Trust Through Community: DC Paid Family Leave Awareness Initiative, given by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) at its 2026 Winter Policy Forum in National Harbor, MD. Presented by NASWA’s Communications Committee, this award is bestowed on a state whose communications work demonstrates exceptional creativity, impact, and public value.

The winning initiative was a comprehensive, community centered outreach campaign that strengthened public understanding of paid family leave benefits across the District. Through strategic partnerships, culturally responsive engagement, and data informed messaging, DOES created a communications model that brings government directly to residents in all eight wards.

The initiative included partnerships with hospitals, maternal wellness organizations, cultural groups, employers and sister agencies. It also featured multilingual, culturally tailored outreach and a robust presence at more than 40 community events, reaching more than 300,000 residents. DOES executed major experiential events and employer-focused one-on-one sessions, each designed to address real questions from residents and strengthen trust in the program.

“DC’s paid leave outreach campaign demonstrates creativity and impact through community engagement,” NASWA President and CEO Scott B. Sanders said. “This initiative set a high standard for how agencies communicate.”

“Winning NASWA’s Excellence in Communications Award reflects our commitment to meeting residents where they are and building trust through community-centered communication,” said DOES Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes. “Through strong partnerships and outreach, we ensured families throughout the area understand and can access the paid family leave benefits they deserve.”

For more information, visit NASWA’s Winter Policy Forum and Communications Committee webpages.