Tag: leadership

DGI’s VP Nominated for Inform USA Award

by dgiassociates

DGI Associates’ Vice President of Operations, Polly McDaniel, was recently nominated for the Inform USA “Community Resource Specialist – Database Curator of the Year” award at the 2025 Inform USA conference in Anaheim, CA this past May. This is the second year in a row that Polly has been nominated for the honor. The award specifically recognizes individuals who excel in their roles within the I&R field, demonstrating leadership, dedication, and a high standard of excellence.

“I am extremely honored to be nominated two years running for the prestigious CRS-DC Inform USA Data Curator of the Year Award. Of the hundreds of people focused on data curation work across the country, it’s hard to find the words to express my appreciation for being mentioned for my contributions.”

Polly has been an integral part of Information and Referral services for over 20 years. Her passion for connecting individuals and families to critical resources through innovative technology and human-centered solutions has been a driving force behind her success. Polly’s leadership has consistently demonstrated her ability to inspire teams, build meaningful partnerships, and ensure that DGI continues to excel in its mission of empowering communities.

If you’re interested in connecting with Polly to discuss how DGI can support your data needs, strategic planning, project management, or training, click here to schedule a time to chat.

Executive Vice President Polly McDaniel (L) with Richard Smith, Strategic Growth Specialist, and Darcy Van Orden, President.

Celebrating Leadership: Polly McDaniel Promoted to Executive Vice President of DGI Associates

by dgiassociates

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Polly McDaniel to Executive Vice President of DGI Associates! This well-deserved advancement recognizes Polly’s outstanding contributions to our organization and her unwavering commitment to advancing the field of Information and Referral (I&R) services.

Read more: Celebrating Leadership: Polly McDaniel Promoted to Executive Vice President of DGI Associates

About Polly McDaniel

Polly has been an integral part of Information and Referral services for over 20 years. Her passion for connecting individuals and families to critical resources through innovative technology and human-centered solutions has been a driving force behind her success. Polly’s leadership has consistently demonstrated her ability to inspire teams, build meaningful partnerships, and ensure that DGI continues to excel in its mission of empowering communities.

Polly’s Vision for the Future

In her new role as Executive Vice President, Polly will lead bold strategic initiatives to accelerate DGI’s growth and amplify our impact across the nation. With a focus on meeting the increasing demand for reliable, accessible data, she will drive innovation in information and referral services. Polly’s vision includes harnessing cutting-edge technology, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and deepening our commitment to empowering the agencies that provide critical support to individuals in need—ensuring they can serve their communities with the highest level of effectiveness and efficiency. 

Join Us in Congratulating Polly

Polly McDaniel’s promotion marks an exciting new chapter for DGI Associates, and we are confident that her leadership will guide us to even greater heights. Please join us in congratulating Polly on this incredible achievement and wishing her continued success in her new role!

We are excited to see the positive changes that Polly will lead as she takes on this well-earned position. Together, we will continue to transform data curation, one connection at a time.

Thank you, Polly, for your dedication and leadership. Here’s to a bright and impactful future!

About DGI Associates

DGI Associates supports Information and Referral (I&R) organizations by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of their service directories. Recognizing the critical role of 211s, ADRCs, and other I&Rs in their communities, we focus on improving data quality, which drives referrals, search results, and community partnerships. To address the challenges of data management, we’ve built a remote team of experts who provide ongoing updates and improvements. Our services now include software migration, database cleanup, Inform USA certification preparation, and project management—all designed to help I&Rs maintain accurate, up-to-date directories and enhance their impact.

Want to learn more about our mission and work? Visit our website at DGI Associates or explore the vital role of I&R services with InformUSA.

Going Back to School: A Key to Unlocking Social Services

by dgiassociates

As the school year begins, children and parents prepare for new classes, fresh school supplies, and the rhythm of daily education. However, the start of a new academic year also serves as a crucial touchpoint for connecting families with essential social services. Schools are more than just institutions for academic learning; they are community hubs that play a pivotal role in providing access to social support, resources, and services that go far beyond the classroom.

  1. Identifying the Need in Schools: Schools are central in identifying the needs of students facing challenges like hunger, housing instability, or lack of medical care. They provide services such as free meals, health care, and housing assistance through partnerships with local organizations and government programs.
  2. Role of Social Service Providers: Information and Referral (I&R) Service Providers also play a key role in connecting students and families with social services including counseling, crisis intervention, and other agencies, addressing issues like abuse, mental health, and educational accommodations. DGI Associates can help ensure the records for these agencies are up to accurate, comprehensive, and up to date.
  3. Parental Engagement: Engaging parents is crucial for connecting families with social services. Schools provide workshops, information sessions, and employ parent liaisons to ensure that parents are aware of available resources.
  4. Community Impact: When schools effectively link families to social services, the benefits ripple through the community, creating stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. This support helps students succeed academically, breaking the cycle of poverty.
  5. Expanding the Role of Schools: Looking ahead, schools have the potential to play an even greater role in delivering social services. Expanding partnerships, funding, and innovative approaches can ensure more students have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Schools play a vital role in the social safety net, ensuring that children and their families have access to the resources they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. By recognizing and enhancing this role, we can create stronger, healthier communities where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Maximizing the Benefits of Temporary/Outsourced Project Assistance During the Summer

by dgiassociates

As summer unfolds, Information and Referral (I&R) Service Providers face a unique set of challenges. Limited time and resources can make maintaining operational efficiency a juggling act, especially with increased seasonal demands and employee vacations.

DGI offers project-based database management support that can ease the burden on Contact Center Administrators and Database Curators. Think of it as interim staffing support that provides flexibility and agility, helping to maintain employee morale and effectiveness by reducing the number of roles your team needs to cover.

Meeting Seasonal Demands
While business as usual must continue through the summer, the demand for social support services often rises. People face increased energy bills due to higher cooling costs, families with children lose school-based support including food services, and extreme weather events—from forest fires to hurricanes—create additional challenges.

Embracing Flexibility and Work/Life Balance
As I&R services tackle these summer challenges, staff still need to balance work with personal time, including holidays, family visits, and vacations. Short-term staffing support offers the flexibility to meet these challenges effectively.

Ongoing Database Maintenance
Interim staffing is not just about filling immediate gaps. When you bring in professionals with specialized expertise, it can play a crucial role in strategic project management. This approach ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget, while empowering permanent employees to focus on their core responsibilities without distraction.

Enhancing Employee Morale
While summer vacations are a well-deserved perk, they can strain workforce continuity. Supplementing existing teams with interim project support helps alleviate the burden on remaining employees, preventing burnout and maintaining morale. This support reflects a commitment to employee well-being, fostering a positive workplace culture where productivity and job satisfaction can thrive.

Conclusion
Balancing multiple priorities is a year-round challenge, and the I&R industry faces particularly demanding conditions in the summer. Whether dealing with increased client demand, executing strategic projects, or maintaining employee morale, interim staff support offers the flexibility and expertise necessary to manage work more effectively.

By viewing interim staffing as a strategic asset rather than a temporary fix, businesses can capitalize on seasonal opportunities and position themselves for sustained success. As we navigate the summer months, those who embrace interim staffing are not just adapting—they’re innovating and laying the groundwork for future growth.

DGI Can Help
DGI’s interim project management and database curation services provide the benefits of flexibility needed to address seasonal peaks, planned or unexpected absences, and special projects. Temporary staff can seamlessly fill gaps without the long-term commitment associated with permanent hires, allowing businesses to scale their workforce up or down as needed and ensure optimal resource allocation during fluctuating demand periods.