2016 Joint Counselor Training
Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All
May 17-18, 2016
Location: Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN
Submit a proposal to [email protected] . The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31, 2016.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
DEED and DHS are joining forces again to host the 4th Annual Joint Counselor Training. This collaborative two-day event
will focus on Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All. Minnesota has been making a strong recovery from the
economic downturn that hit the whole country – and our overall unemployment rate is well below the national average.
But not everyone has been able to take advantage of the opportunities that exist. Meanwhile, employers are looking at
tighter labor markets and are having difficulty finding workers with the skills they need. As professionals in the
workforce development system, we are uniquely positioned to help job seekers develop the financial stability and skills
they need for today’s workplace – and to help employers connect with workplace-ready job seekers. This conference will
assist us in developing our skills and managing stress, sharing best practices, building relationships and promoting
system and policy changes that make a difference. We hope you’ll join us as we work to ensure that all Minnesotans are
able to take advantage of economic opportunities and build a bright future for themselves and their families.
This year’s conference, May 17-18, 2016, will bring together approximately 600 professionals from the following
professional areas: job seeker counselors, staff who work with Minnesotans from across the state who receive public
assistance, WorkForce Center and service provider staff, Veteran representatives and leadership. We’re looking to you –
the experts in the field and in the offices – to bring hands-on, interactive breakout sessions to us for consideration and
to help us develop and deliver an engaging agenda for all attendees.
CALL FOR BREAKOUT SESSION PROPOSALS
Concurrent sessions are an important part of this training. The Conference Planning Committee seeks presentations that
respond to the needs of attendees and their participants, highlighting areas that will help them continue on a successful
path. The committee is seeking proposals for presentations in the following areas:
1. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Serving Diverse Customers
Labor market information (LMI) and the stories we share as professionals tell us Minnesota is becoming more
diverse. In this track, we will look at pockets of diversity in our state, effective techniques for serving diverse
customers and ways to develop cultural awareness.
Examples: LMI Regional Stats, Cultural Awareness, Diversity.
2. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Financial Success/Financial Literacy
Financial illiteracy is one barrier many job seekers face on the path toward achieving a full-time job with livable
wages. This track will identify programs and resources that help customers become more economically selfsufficient and tips for helping them navigate the costs of housing, child care, transportation and necessities of life.
Examples: MFIP, DWP, SNAP
3. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Case Management
Mandates to deliver program data and performance-related measures have never been greater – and technology
has been one driver. This track explores best practices in gathering, reporting, tracking and maintaining the numbers
and how changes in policy affect case management practices.
Examples: Best Practices, Performance Indicators, Accountability, Policy Change
4. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Relationship Building/Partnering with Agencies
Relationships between and among state agencies, nonprofits and community-based organizations (CBOs) often
begin incrementally with a single event or initiative and, over time, evolve into flourishing partnerships. We want to
hear your success stories.
Examples: Communication/Diversity, State Agencies, Role of CBOs, Co-enrollment, “Have you experienced success in this?
Are you willing to share?”
5. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: System Changes/Policy Changes
How might the state’s workforce development system, policies and programs change – especially given a growing
number of legislators who have chosen not to seek re-election and a downturn in the state’s budget surplus? What
changes in the workforce development system and policy would make the most difference for the people we serve?
Examples: Legislative Updates, WFC System, WIOA Statewide Plan, Unified Report Card
6. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Professional Development
Do you fight the tiger or run from it? No one, male or female, is immune, and the signs of stress – heart palpitations,
changes in breathing, perspiring – are well known. In this track, you’ll learn how to take care of yourself and to
lessen the impact before one more situation or person pushes your buttons.
Examples: Self-care, Stress Management
SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
To submit a proposal, complete the attached form and submit via email to [email protected]. You will receive a
confirmation email letting you know your submission has been received. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31,
2016.
2016 Joint Counselor Training
Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All
May 17-18, 2016
Location: Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN
Fill out the form below and submit it to [email protected]. You will receive a confirmation email.
PLEASE NOTE:
1. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31, 2016
2. The committee reserves the right to place speakers and panelists in compatible sessions on any day (May 17-18) or
to combine session proposals when appropriate.
3. Sessions will last 60 minutes. As you prepare your proposal, please consider the structure of your presentation and
decide whether it will be lecture, roundtable discussion, question and answer, hands-on/interactive, or computer
demo.
4. No speaker fees will be paid.
PRIMARY CONTACT FOR SUBMITTAL:
Name
Organization
Phone
Email
TITLE OF PRESENTATION (mandatory): Click here to enter text.
FOCUS AREA: (check all that apply)
☐
1. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Serving Diverse Customers
☐
2. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Financial Success/Financial Literacy
☐
3. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Case Management
☐
4. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Relationship Building/Partnering
☐
☐
5. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: System Changes/Policy Changes
6. Building Bright Futures – Opportunities for All: Professional Development
STRUCTURE: (check all that apply)
☐ Panel
☐ Roundtable Discussion
☐ Question and Answer
☐ Hands-on/Interactive
TARGET AUDIENCE: (i.e., counselors, income maintenance workers, social workers, WorkForce Center staff, Veteran
Reps; management)
Click here to enter text.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTATION (limit 150 words)(will be included in Program Directory):
Click here to enter text.
IN THIS SESSION, ATTENDEES WILL LEARN: (Identify learning objectives in brief, single sentences)
Objective 1:
Objective 2:
Objective 3:
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
HAS THIS PRESENTATION BEEN GIVEN BEFORE?
☐ Yes
☐ No
If yes, when?
Click here to enter text.
Where presented? Click here to enter text.
Has the presentation been given at a previous DWP or MFIP/DHP Counselor Conference?
If yes, what year?
Click here to enter text.
☐ Yes
☐ No
PRESENTER INFORMATION: (Maximum three presenters)
Lead Presenter
Name
Organization
Role or Title
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Email
Short Bio
Presenter #2
Name
Organization
Role or Title
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Email
Short Bio
Presenter #3
Name
Organization
Role or Title
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Email
Short Bio