Meet Jen, MFIP Director

We are thrilled to announce the selection of our new MFIP Director, Jennifer Swalboski. Our Family Stability program works with families who are receiving public assistance through the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and it is our largest program at Hired, serving thousands of families in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties each year as they work toward stability and employment goals. Jen first joined Hired as an employment counselor in 2014, and in 2016, was promoted to a Program Manager overseeing Ramsey County Family Stability programs.

Jen's extensive leadership over MFIP programs, coupled with her steadfast passion for family voices and centering their needs, make her an outstanding fit for this critical role. Her person-first approach to supervising staff and nurturing their professional growth demonstrates one of our core values, Put People First.

“I want Hired to be a place where staff can be themselves, but also be held accountable and grow in their lives and in their work. I believe in what Hired can do, and I believe in what our staff can do, and I believe in what our families can do. Staff support families so they can find their way,” Jen shared about the importance of cultivating Hired staff.

Jen, who is known around Hired and in our community as a visionary and highly collaborative leader, was instrumental in the creation and successful launch of our Family Home Visiting program. This new program brings additional resources and support systems to families with children pre-natal to age 5 in the metro through parent coaching, emergency funds, and postpartum support. It utilizes the Parents as Teachers strength-based approach to centering parents in its design and implementation of services and supports.

Jen is a graduate of the Twin Cities Leadership 2021-2022 cohort. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Utah State University. Trained as a Motivational Interviewing Coach, a Domestic Violence Specialist, and Offender Workforce Development Specialist, Jen carries many valuable experiences and perspectives she can draw from as she leads the MFIP program.

Under Jen's direction, Hired will continue to foster internal excellence and strengthen strategic community partnerships. Hired is excited for her to move into this leadership role to further inspire our team as we embrace a transformative, holistic, and inclusive approach to elevating the families we serve.

Jen’s favorite part about working at Hired? “Hearing the success of the families we serve, and watching the growth of the staff. It’s such a beautiful thing. Even celebrating the smallest of wins is so important for our families. There is a lot of hard stuff that our families go through, and it’s amazing to watch staff grow while supporting families.”