LEARNING TRACK ONE | 10:30-11:45 AM

1-A: RECRUITING & RETAINING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE

The need to connect with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) communities is important—now more than ever. According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center, between 2018 and 2053, the White, non-Hispanic/Latino population is expected to decrease from 84.1% to 69.2%, while other groups expect significant increases. This means the talent pool for employers will reflect that of its society becoming more diverse. It is beneficial that employers connect and develop relationships with BIPOC talent for increasing their workforce. The Department of Employment & Economic Development’s (DEED) workforce strategy consultant for the metro area will discuss recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Topics of discussion during this presentation will include effective engagement, the importance of engaging with a diverse workforce, DEI, and where to start for employers. Adesewa Adesiji, Workforce Strategy Consultant-Metro Area, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

1-B: LEADERSHIP–WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE LEAD THE PEOPLE & NOT THE WORK?

Are our mission, vision, and values—along with the promises we make to our residents and families—aligned with how we support our staff and teams? Is it comparable or compatible? Our systems will get what they need whether we like it or not. Our current workforce crisis is an example of our systems getting what they need by violence. We are good at adjusting our systems to build better capacity to meet the needs of today. New policies or procedures to ease the disruption to the systems. We are failing to realize that it’s not our operating systems that are broken. However, our “human operating system” is untethered and falling apart. What our entire staff have been through in the last three years has taken an unprecedented toll on our mental and emotional well-being. We are not the same people we were then. Learn to focus and build our human capacity by leading and supporting in a way that supports the human experience. Human experience includes uncertainty, change, anxiety, frustration, anger, fear, grief, loss, moral distress, compassion fatigue, and the list goes on. Hard things. It has been nothing but hard things— and continues to be. Learn and understand tools and skills to navigate the hard human things for yourself and your staff in a more sustainable way.

Krisie Baron, LSW, Human & Care Partner Specialist, Embracing Journeys

1-C: SELLING & MARKETING ASSISTED LIVING

Build it and they will come? Not quite. Marketing and selling your assisted living services does not happen by itself, overnight, or by magic wand. Several pieces are involved. Websites, brochures, referral sources, telephone etiquette, and contacts are just a few things you will need to get the most out of your time spent. Learn how to adjust your perspective and toot your own horn and the right people then will have the right information at the right time to get your census up. Join us to learn how.

Peggy Scoggins, Owner/Consultant, Adept Selling Melissa Kirchhoff, LALD, Principal Consultant, Adept Selling