Wilder Research: Talking Through The Numbers

Current data and understanding about American Indian children and families is limiting and often focuses on disparities. Using a story-focused approach in evaluation can help in better understanding what experiences are important and meaningful to Indigenous families in Minnesota. Guests discuss how they used storybanking—gathering stories from people directly impacted by policies, programs and services—as part of a project designed to align and coordinate systems for families with young children. These stories helped the Minnesota departments of Education, Health, and Human Services and the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet learn about the lives and experiences of Indigenous children, families and communities in Minnesota, better understand how they are doing, and help them access what they need to thrive. Guests include: • Lucy Littlewolf Arias, MN Department of Education • Jessica Tokunaga, Wilder Research

More than half a million Minnesotans experienced poverty last year. Guests talk about financial insecurity and how guaranteed income programs are helping families obtain financial health and well-being. It's possible for a Minnesotan to be working full time trying to support their family and still earn a poverty-level wage. Heather Britt and guests discuss what we mean by poverty, the big mismatch between who we consider below poverty and what people actually need to get by, and the guaranteed income programs the City of St. Paul and the Wilder Foundation are piloting to support residents navigating poverty and help them achieve financial security. Guests Kasey Wiedrich, Financial Capability Manager, City of St. Paul Office of Financial Empowerment Liz Kaufman, Asset Building Program Coordinator, Wilder Foundation Jenny Geris, Whole Family Systems Manager, Wilder Foundation Allison Liuzzi, Research Manager and Minnesota Compass Project Director, Wilder Research

Host Heather Britt is joined by Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel and researchers Anna Granias and Amanda Petersen to discuss the benefits of using data and representing multiple stakeholders and perspectives in strategic planning. The result: ownership and consensus on direction, and a more holistic, robust and impactful plan that actually gets used. Related: Planning for Purpose: Rochester Public Schools Strategic Action Plan 2022-2025 (https://www.wilder.org/wilder-research/research-library/planning-purpose-rochester-public-schools-strategic-action-plan)

Guests discuss how social isolation and loneliness impact the health of Minnesota’s older adults, efforts underway to better understand and address the problem, and the ways everyone can help. Guests • Steven M. Hoover, PhD, Healthy Aging Coordinator, Central Minnesota Council on Aging • Christin Lindberg, Research Associate, Wilder Research • Rebecca Sales, Research Scientist, Wilder Research Resources • The Foundation for Social Connection https://www.social-connection.org/ • Commit to Connect: Combatting Social Isolation and Loneliness in all Communities https://acl.gov/CommitToConnect • National Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness https://www.endsocialisolation.org • enGaged: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults https://www.engagingolderadults.org • MinnesotaHelp.info https://www.minnesotahelp.info/SpecialTopics/Seniors/Search?sm=All&q=social+isolation&loc=&geo=®= • Senior LinkAge Line® @ 1-800-333-2433 • Mental Health Minnesota CONNECT Initiative provides social co