A Bridge To Nowhere??? Creating Bridge Programming in Outstate Minnesota Carman Mills Program Manger and Transitions Coordinator SW ABE-Granite Falls Region Sara Karbo Job Counselor and FastTRAC Navigator SW MN Private Industry Council

Bridge Program Definition What is it? Prepares adults with limited academic or limited English skills to enter and succeed in post-secondary education and training leading to career-path employment. What is it? Prepares adults with limited academic or limited English skills to enter and succeed in post-secondary education and training leading to career-path employment.

Bridge Program Goal What is it? Bridge the gap between the initial skills of individuals and what they need to enter and succeed in post- secondary education and career path employment. What is it? Bridge the gap between the initial skills of individuals and what they need to enter and succeed in post- secondary education and career path employment.

Starting Point 1.Create Partnerships A. ABE B. MnSCU C. Workforce Council D. Community Based Organizations E. Employers 1.Create Partnerships A. ABE B. MnSCU C. Workforce Council D. Community Based Organizations E. Employers 2.Choose a Career Pathway A.Healthcare B.Manufacturing C.Customer Service D.Any High Demand Career Area that is pertinent to the region 2.Choose a Career Pathway A.Healthcare B.Manufacturing C.Customer Service D.Any High Demand Career Area that is pertinent to the region

Starting Point 3.Develop Core Elements A. Contextualized Instruction 1. Reading 2. Math 3. Language Skills 4. Industry/Occupation Knowledge B. Career Development 1. Career Exploration 2. Career Planning within a Career Area 3. Understand the World of Work C. Transition Services 1. Student Services 2. Support Services 3. Financial Services 3.Develop Core Elements A. Contextualized Instruction 1. Reading 2. Math 3. Language Skills 4. Industry/Occupation Knowledge B. Career Development 1. Career Exploration 2. Career Planning within a Career Area 3. Understand the World of Work C. Transition Services 1. Student Services 2. Support Services 3. Financial Services

Starting Point 4.Determine Program Eligibility A.Reading and Math Levels ? B.English Language Proficiency Levels ? C.GED/Adult Diploma ? D.Incumbent Worker ? 4.Determine Program Eligibility A.Reading and Math Levels ? B.English Language Proficiency Levels ? C.GED/Adult Diploma ? D.Incumbent Worker ? 5.Determine Program Options A. Single Course B. Series of Courses 1. Contain Knowledge and Skills Common for Entry-Level Occupations within a Broad Cluster 2. Sufficient Duration and Intensity to Produce Transition Results 5.Determine Program Options A. Single Course B. Series of Courses 1. Contain Knowledge and Skills Common for Entry-Level Occupations within a Broad Cluster 2. Sufficient Duration and Intensity to Produce Transition Results

Starting Point 6.Determine Outcomes A. Short-Term B. Long-Term C. Student Evaluations D. Program Evaluations 6.Determine Outcomes A. Short-Term B. Long-Term C. Student Evaluations D. Program Evaluations 7.Determine Roles A. ABE B. MnSCU C. Workforce Counselor D. Employer F. Outside Providers 7.Determine Roles A. ABE B. MnSCU C. Workforce Counselor D. Employer F. Outside Providers

Bridge Program Advantages Contextualized Academic Instruction Delivered in an Accelerated Format Higher Levels of Staff Support with Students *Navigator Contextualized Academic Instruction Delivered in an Accelerated Format Higher Levels of Staff Support with Students *Navigator

SW ABE Consortium 4 Regions Granite Falls Marshall Worthington Jackson 4 Regions Granite Falls Marshall Worthington Jackson Minnesota West Granite Falls Canby Jackson Pipestone Worthington Minnesota West Granite Falls Canby Jackson Pipestone Worthington SW MN Private Industry Council Montevideo Marshall Worthington SW MN Private Industry Council Montevideo Marshall Worthington

Career Pathways

SW ABE Bridge Program Program Eligibility – CASAS Reading and Math Score 230 or better on both tests – Unemployed or Underemployed – High School Diploma or GED Can be working towards completion Program Eligibility – CASAS Reading and Math Score 230 or better on both tests – Unemployed or Underemployed – High School Diploma or GED Can be working towards completion

SW ABE Bridge Program Program Components – Computer Skills – Math Skills – Soft Skills – Career Defining Skills Program Components – Computer Skills – Math Skills – Soft Skills – Career Defining Skills

Computer Skills Assessment MIRC Tutorials Individualized Assessment MIRC Tutorials Individualized

Math Skills Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Fractions Percents Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Fractions Percents Time Metric System Ration Proportion Measurements Ohm’s Law (IM) Time Metric System Ration Proportion Measurements Ohm’s Law (IM)

Soft Skills Skills – Technical Skills – Soft Skills Determination / Hard Work – Goal Setting – Above and Beyond – Visioning Reliability – Overcome Distractions – Be Accountable – 100% Affect Skills – Technical Skills – Soft Skills Determination / Hard Work – Goal Setting – Above and Beyond – Visioning Reliability – Overcome Distractions – Be Accountable – 100% Affect Experience – Look for Good Opportunities – Always be Prepared – Know your Value/Worth Habits – Strengths/Weaknesses – Overcoming Potential Roadblocks Experience – Look for Good Opportunities – Always be Prepared – Know your Value/Worth Habits – Strengths/Weaknesses – Overcoming Potential Roadblocks

Career Defining Skills Career Exploration Post-secondary Exploration College Experience – Mindquest Career and Post-secondary Assessments Resume Writing Interviewing Skills Career Exploration Post-secondary Exploration College Experience – Mindquest Career and Post-secondary Assessments Resume Writing Interviewing Skills

Lessons Learned Math Skills Appropriate Age of Student Depends on Computer Skills More Rigorous More College Preparation Experience of Students Determines Skills Taught Deliverables Could be Held at Many Locations Need Specific Outcomes Math Skills Appropriate Age of Student Depends on Computer Skills More Rigorous More College Preparation Experience of Students Determines Skills Taught Deliverables Could be Held at Many Locations Need Specific Outcomes

SW ABE Bridge Program Eligibility for Bridge Program – CASAS Reading and Math – Eligibility for Integrated Program – CASAS Reading and Math – 230 or better Computer Skills – Score 80% or better on Computer Assessment – Score 79% or lower, computer skills training

Learner Web – Medical Office Preparation – Complete 80% of plans with 80% passing on all assignments/tests Provide Additional Instruction for Students Needing a GED Provide Additional Instruction for Students Needing Reading and Math Skills Brush-up SW ABE Bridge Program

SW ABE Bridge Program Math Skills for Healthcare Employees Mindquest – D2L Experience – LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory) – Accuplacer – if CASAS Reading at 236 or better – My Foundations Lab Serve Safe Preparation – Read Book – Review Vocabulary Math Skills for Healthcare Employees Mindquest – D2L Experience – LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory) – Accuplacer – if CASAS Reading at 236 or better – My Foundations Lab Serve Safe Preparation – Read Book – Review Vocabulary

Learner Web – Prepare to be a CNA – Integrated Medical Terminology Classroom Setting Lab Setting Individual Setting Learner Web – Prepare to be a CNA – Integrated Medical Terminology Classroom Setting Lab Setting Individual Setting Soft Skills – Skills – Hard Work – Reliability – Experience – Habits/Personal Attributes – Communication – Team Building – Problem Solving Soft Skills – Skills – Hard Work – Reliability – Experience – Habits/Personal Attributes – Communication – Team Building – Problem Solving SW ABE Bridge Program

Career and Post- Secondary Exploration – Resume Writing – Job Search – Interviewing Skills – Admissions Process – Financial Aid Information/FAFSA – Healthcare Programs Career and Post- Secondary Exploration – Resume Writing – Job Search – Interviewing Skills – Admissions Process – Financial Aid Information/FAFSA – Healthcare Programs Support Services – Gas Vouchers – SNAP Referral – Budgeting Support Services – Gas Vouchers – SNAP Referral – Budgeting SW ABE Bridge Program

Assess learning style with LASSI diagnostic tool Learn to navigate the Desire2Learn system Familiarize themselves with job skills needed to be a nursing assistant Learn basic medical terminology Assess learning style with LASSI diagnostic tool Learn to navigate the Desire2Learn system Familiarize themselves with job skills needed to be a nursing assistant Learn basic medical terminology Student Outcomes

Learn math skills pertinent to employment in the healthcare industry Create a resume for minnesotaworks.net and potential employers Create personal and employment goals Learn math skills pertinent to employment in the healthcare industry Create a resume for minnesotaworks.net and potential employers Create personal and employment goals SW ABE Bridge Program Student Outcomes

SW ABE Bridge Program % Success/Completion Rate CASAS Level Change Move 15 students into Universal Healthcare Worker class Prepare students for independent study 80% Success/Completion Rate CASAS Level Change Move 15 students into Universal Healthcare Worker class Prepare students for independent study Program Outcomes

What Type of Bridge Fits Your Program?

Questions? Thank you for participating! Carman Mills Program Manager & Transitions Coordinator SW ABE – Granite Falls Region & SW Regional Transitions Area , ext. 116 Sara Karbo Job Counselor & FastTRAC Navigator SW MN Private Industry Council