Nebraska Appleseed Building a Nebraska Where All People have a Real Chance to Achieve the American Dream

The Lumina Foundation, The Working Poor Families Project, and Nebraska Appleseed Agree 1. Refine the vision and perception of our ABE, ESL, and GED programs 2. Create partnerships and pathways 3. Infuse technology and develop comprehensive benefits programs 4. Establish goals, set benchmarks

1. Refine the vision and perception of our ABE, ESL, and GED programs

“ I don’t have problems going into the workforce…but what’s the point of filling out applications if you don’t have a diploma or GED?” - Francis, Omaha NE

Nebraska’s Investment Per without a HS/GED $8.43 National Rank #42

1. Refine the vision and perception of our Adult Basic Education, ESL, and GED programs - Conceptualize adult education as part of building workforce and family stability - Integration adult education into the state’s economic vision and invest new dollars -Invest those dollars in what matters: more teachers, classrooms, technology and training -Right now we can: connect with Senators, bring Education Quest into classrooms, and conceptualize investments in adult ed as down payments on our economic vision investments in ending the cycle of poverty

2. Create partnerships and pathways

What’s the biggest challenge for me and my family? TIME. –Jared, Lincoln

Bridge Programs BRIDGE PROGRAMS help adults in need of basic skills or English Language Learning succeed by moving along a career pathway. Bridges consist of courses that link basic skills development with occupational skills development and accelerate the transition from pre-college to college level work.

2. Create partnerships and pathways -Unite around a shared definition -Work on collaborations between partners and between degree and non-degree programs -Support efforts to identify funding streams -Help Nebraska Appleseed with our next phase of research around careers to focus pathways on -Right now we can: participate in the workshop this afternoon, read about Bridge Programs, attend the “Bridge Program Blueprint” workshop that will be a follow up to this meeting

3. Infuse technology and develop comprehensive benefits programs

I tried to get that for my kids and they have told me that I don’t qualify…. - Mary, Omaha

Public Benefits Matter

A Model Program: Central New Mexico Community College Center for Working Families CWF provides bundled services, including public benefits enrollment and financial aid assistance, and recently, “achievement coaches” –88 percent of CWF clients received bundled services. –Students receiving bundled services had a 61 percent chance of achieving short-term economic success, compared to 16 percent of other students. –Students receiving bundled services had a 20 percent chance of achieving long-term economic success, compared to 5 percent of other students. –The most common long-term economic outcome was receiving a certificate, ged, or associate’s degree

3. Infuse technology and develop comprehensive benefits programs - Use the new ACCESS Nebraska on-line benefits enrollment system in the community college/education setting - This is an opportunity for funders to connect the need for knowledge and support to educational success -On a policy level, we must simplify programs -Right now you can call HHS and become a community based partner, you can invite Nebraska Appleseed to do a focus group in your agency, take a SNAP outreach guide

4. Establish goals, set benchmarks

Goals and Benchmarks Polleverywhere.com What are our priorities? What are our biggest hurdles? What are our greatest strengths? What benchmarks should we set?