Life Skills Sessions for Dislocated Workers- CPAD

Dislocated worker programs have traditionally focused on retraining laid-off workers after a job loss, often in preparation for a new field or vocation. Associated services may include job search workshops, resume preparation, or support services to help with one-time financial assistance. However, offerings to help with the client’s success in the new job, or life in general, have been less common and usually dependent on their counselor’s related skills and available time.

This summer, Ramsey County contracted with Minnesota Job Partners to pilot a Life Skills program for workers laid off due to Covid-19. Originally targeted to BIPOC clients (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), the pilot was later opened to Ramsey County’s general population of dislocated workers. 

Mike Powers and Amy Lindgren, two of the program’s four trainers, developed a selection of 12 Life Skills workshops delivered by Zoom twice weekly in rotation over the fall of 2020. Some of the topics include: Goal Setting; Problem-Solving and Decision Making; Household Budgeting; Mistake-free Writing; Motivation & Developing Positive Habits; and Life Planning. The 12 sessions were designed to fill the gaps often experienced by clients utilizing traditional dislocated worker services. In this CPAD session Mike and Amy will report on this Fall’s program while opening the discussion for others to share their own experiences with similar topics and programs.

Speaker & Discussion Leaders: 

Mike Powers

Mike holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. During his career he has been a psychotherapist, a teacher and held various leadership positions in non-profits, government and business. He served as the Director of the Dislocated Worker Program for Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau and Minnesota Job Partners for 12 years. Now he conducts workshops in career and professional development as an independent contractor.

Amy Lindgren

Amy, President of Prototype Career Service, is a national employment columnist and the author or co-author of 12 job search guides. As part of a diverse portfolio of skills, Amy also taught writing at The Loft for more than a decade, has earned certification from the University of Minnesota Extension Department in budget counseling, and holds a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Minneapolis Technical College. She is trying very hard to master Zoom presenting before it stops being “a thing.”

Time: 7:45 am to 9:15 am (networking time: 7:45 to 8:00 am; presentation and discussion: 8:00 to 9:00 am) 

Joining the Zoom CPAD Meeting: 

Join Zoom Meeting at:
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Meeting ID: 998 9032 0114
Passcode: 585352

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A big thank you to:

Amy Lindgren and Mike Powers for speaking and hosting this virtual meeting!

Topic Ideas for future meetings?

Please send them to Ruth Rounds at LifeDimensions@comcast.net or call her at 612-559-1177.

Take Care!  Stay Safe!

Ruth Rounds