2. Bridge of Strength Adaptations June 8, 2016
Bruce Casselton, Planner
Ramsey County (MN) Workforce Solutions
MFIP/DWP/SNAP Employment Services Division

3. Purpose
Purpose
To illustrate the steps in adapting the CWU Bridge of Strengths to Local Application:
Desire/impetus to shift to participant driven focus
New emphasis on participant goal setting
Emphasis on coaching and enhanced coaching built upon motivational interviewing
Need for tools to support these efforts
Openness to education leading to career pathways

4. Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
Strategic Role
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
Financial stewardship & oversight
Community partnership
Direct service provider
Program development based on evidence and use of evaluation to inform, adapt, replicate and advance programs
The Ramsey County Workforce Solutions MFIP/DWP Employment Services Mission is to maximize resident economic self-sufficiency and family stabilization by:
Encouraging and empowering all families to secure employment;
Guiding families to increase their income and move out of poverty;
Preventing long-term reliance on public assistance as a primary source of family income.
The Ramsey County Workforce Solutions MFIP/DWP Employment Services Vision is to provide residents on public assistance opportunities for improved employment and family stabilization.

5. Beginning in 2013: Ideas to Action
Building a Foundation:2013 to Present
Beginning in 2013: Ideas to Action
We wanted to move participant to center and increase the opportunity and benefit of engagement.
We borrowed a philosophy and a template.
We developed our own philosophy and our tool(s).
We piloted them and talked with users and participants.
We made some adjustments.
We trained all of our counselors.
We measured.
We’re still testing as part of a larger intervention.
We are doing more tweaks.

7. One Example From Employability Measure

10. Thank you, Commissioners

11. Thank you, Commissioners

14. New Practices Mapping Tool

15. DWP & MFIP Provider Resources