Systems Change Resources
BUILD Podcast: Designing and Re-designing Systems that Work
Minnesota has gathered a group of community-based organizations and tribal nations to envision pathways to early childhood statewide systems. Host Karen Ponder and BUILD executive director Susan Hibbard discuss state-funded initiatives with Jovon Perry, director of Economic Assistance and Employment Supports at Minnesota’s Children and Family Services, and Cindi Yang, director of the Child Care Services Division of Children and Family Services.
Whole Family Systems Initiative Overview (PDF) | Minnesota Department of Human Services
This document provides an overview of the Whole Family Systems Initiative project. Learn about the goals, vision, team, grantees/sites and how it all started.
A 2-Gen Approach in Minnesota: A state case study for systems leaders and policymakers
Minnesota Whole Family Systems Initiative was featured in a case study for systems leaders and policymakers by international think-tank, Aspen Institute. The case study focused on Minnesota Whole Family System program’s approach to achieving family well-being through intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together, acknowledging and building on the reality that the lives of family members and the outcomes they seek are inextricably intertwined.
Principles to Practice | Minnesota Department of Human Services
The Principles to Practice tool is based on principles that emerged through interagency and cross-sector efforts during 2017 and 2018. The tool intends to surface strengths and opportunities for implementing the principles for those who create policies or manage programs that affect families. This can be used in a team and will take 1-2 hours to complete. The ideas for changing policy and practice that surface from the discussion may range from quick, short-term changes to those with a longer time frame.
BUILD Equity Action Framework | BUILD Initiative
BUILD Initiative, a partner in the Whole Family Systems Initiative work, created an Equity Action Framework tool. BUILD trained Department of Human Services leaders, staff and seven contracted sites on this equity tool and is teaching and supporting them in applying an equity lens in their work with communities most impacted by disparities to bring more equity to programs and services.
The human-centered design process | Future Services Institute
In the past few years, the public and non-profit sectors sector buzzed with the possibilities offered by the human-centered design process (sometimes known as design thinking). While it has been seen as a meaningful and impactful way to solve society’s complex problems, many misconceptions exist. The human-centered design process is fundamental to the work done by the Future Services Institute. It anchors innovation work in the human services field and other adjacent sectors.
This brief offers the Future Services Institute’s take on the practice as applied to the public and nonprofit sectors. It reflects what the institute has learned in the past few years working with a range of approaches, provides an example of its application and considers how others might use this methodology to address complex issues.
Theory of Change | Minnesota Department of Human Services
Theory of Change guides the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ work with a comprehensive description of expected changes and goals.
Video: Redesign for Whole Family System Conference | Future Services Institute and Minnesota Department of Human Services
This is a recording of the Redesign for Whole Family System Conference.
Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Ascend at the Aspen Institute is a catalyst and convener for diverse leaders working across systems and sectors to build intergenerational family prosperity and well-being by focusing on children and the adults in their lives together. The institute believes in the power of co-creation. The institute brings together a community of well-connected, well-prepared, and well-positioned leaders to build the political will that transforms hearts, minds, policies and practices.
Ascend has a wealth of publications and resources to guide whole family systems work.
Policy and practice barriers study: A Direct Service Perspective | Minnesota Department of Human Services
Department of Human Services staff interviewed those working in the 2-Gen partner sites in service coordination roles such as employment counselor, navigator and coach in 2018. The goal was to identify common challenges when families are served by multiple organizations, stress points within social services programs and other administrative hurdles creating barriers for families working toward stability. Northside Achievement Zone, Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood and Olmsted County Human Services, Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division staff grounded questions about systemic barriers by asking interviewees to select families served by their agencies, providing perspective on systemic barriers and unmet needs for each family.
State strategies to strengthen family economic stability and opportunity | Minnesota Department of Human Services and BUILD Initiative
This brief provides insight into designing guaranteed income programs to ensure they are implemented effectively and efficiently with employment and other social support services to provide families with economic security and social mobility. In the first section, the challenge and policy options are discussed. In the second, a table describes key income supports and strategies for states and local leaders to ensure guaranteed income can be complementary and additive to have the greatest impact on families’ financial well-being.
Trust, power, and organizational routines: Exploring government’s intentional tactics to renew relationships with nonprofits serving historically marginalized communities | Public Administration Review
This public management innovation study focused on intervening in three human service policy fields where racial inequity is rampant.
- In child welfare, the state has the authority to remove children from their parents and terminate parental rights. The over-representation of Black and American Indian children is well documented and racial biases exist at each decision point in the service continuum.
- In early childhood education, there are significant racial disparities in almost every measure of service and attainment— from diagnosis of developmental and behavioral challenges to kindergarten readiness.
- The vulnerable cash assistance programs are built upon and perpetuate racial inequity. The results are clear—the administrative apparatus is not delivering unbiased outcomes in these and other human services fields.
Video: MFIP Connect app | Minnesota Department of Human Services and Future Services Institute
This video gives an overview of the MFIP Connect app. It helps people stay in touch with their counselor and county worker and offers resources to support their journey toward financial independence.
Integrated Services Assessment Tool | Minnesota Department of Human Services and Olmsted County
The Integrated Services Assessment Tool was created by Olmsted County, a 2-Gen grantee. The tool enables comprehensive family assessment across various domains (income, employment, health, etc.). The tool’s content was developed in partnership with Olmsted County, Dakota County (Maryland), Boulder County (Colorado), and stakeholders across Minnesota.
Video: WECARE Assessment | Minnesota Department of Human Services and White Earth Nation
This video gives an overview of the WECARE holistic assessment tool and its impact on the White Earth Nation community.