There are many tools out there for team development. One of the most effective and accessible tools is Clifton Strengths. Not only is it validated in numerous countries and languages, it is also asset based.   In our American culture, we spend a lot of time discussing weaknesses and deficits. However, Clifton Strengths gives the top 5 results of our 34 strengths. When we put more effort toward our strengths, we will naturally yield more results than trying to pour into the bottom tier of strengths and end up feeling exhausted and demotivated.   Cradle 2 Career values community. We focus on what connects us [...]

Countless studies show that young adults who pursue and attain a college degree or other technical/professional training shortly after high school increase their earning potential in the early years of their careers. This reality effectively increases their lifetime earning potential. The pandemic is also having an impact on employment opportunities for low and unskilled labor. The federal government has stated that young workers among others are facing a tough job market potentially compromising their futures.    Consider the statistics  The following statistics looked at students who graduated from Rochester Public School District (RPSD) in the 2013-2014 academic year. We identified students who have been awarded an academic certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s [...]

We Have Data on Kindergarten Readiness! March 8, 2021 We are excited to report that five network partners contributed data on 383 pre-kindergarten children. This data enables us to generate our first ever baseline for kindergarten readiness. Having this data means network members can develop a shared perspective on what it means to be kindergarten ready and informs the kindergarten readiness of the children they serve.  Two years ago our Kindergarten Readiness Network convened and quickly realized they lacked a shared/common definition of what kindergarten readiness is and how to measure the success of their efforts. In addition, at a community level, these network partners had no way to communicate how well they were preparing children for their entry into the school environment.  Subsequent to this realization, Cradle 2 Career (C2C) and network partners worked hard to develop a shared definition of kindergarten readiness and a consistent and common way to measure it.  Kindergarten readiness is a [...]

The Importance of a Living Wage February 18, 2021 Currently, there is a lot of talk in the nation about the need to increase the minimum wage in order get more people to a living wage. Consider the statistic that 40% of students who graduate from Rochester Public Schools work in Southeast Minnesota. And of those graduates approximately 55% earn a living wage. That’s right just over half.  According to the Investopedia article Living Wage by Julia Kagan “A living wage refers to a theoretical income level that allows an individual or family to afford adequate shelter, food, and other basic necessities. The goal of a living wage is to allow employees to earn [...]

Over Half Of 3 Year Olds Are Not Getting Early Childhood Screening December 15, 2020 How do you know when a child is ready for school? Early childhood screening can help ensure a child is adequately prepared for kindergarten. The screening is available to children starting at age 3. By performing the testing at this age, age-appropriate resources can be made available to children needing support and readiness training. Surprisingly, Cradle 2 Career (C2C) has found that 57% of Rochester area children at age 3 are not participating in early childhood screening. This lack of screening leads to [...]

A Targeted Solution Helps Drive Our Impact November 24, 2020 United Way, Cradle to Career (C2C) and Rochester Public Schools (RPS) are continuously searching for ways to increase their positive impact on children. How does this team really know that they are having the desired impact? Reviewing results allows them to better manage data, track participation, and document progress across programs, services, and locations. With the addition of Cityspan the team is confident they can better track, analyze, and ultimately improve their impact. Cityspan is data management system for tracking social service programs, funding, and outcomes. It can help ensure [...]