Addressing Homelessness: Ramsey RUSH and Outside-In
Provide project management, including facilitating effective cross-agency team, to design and implement two initiatives addressing homelessness in and around downtown Saint Paul. RUSH 0 Re-directing Users of Shelter to Housing focused on the top users of emergency shelter services in Ramsey County and transitioned them to permanent housing. Outside-In works to engage and move unsheltered homeless in camps, riding transit and sleeping in skyways and parks into housing.
LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation)
Work with national LISC to assess engagement in Anchor Institutions — large entities that are rooted in their communities — and develop a national LISC Anchor Institution strategy and program. This engagement includes working with LISC in multiple communities as well as shaping a cohesive program and developing a set of tools to implement Anchor strategies.
Central Corridor Anchor Partnership
Co-manage collaborative of 13 healthcare and higher education institutions along a transit corridor who are committed to spending more procurement dollars locally, hiring more local residents, and increasing the use of transit by students and employees to improve the health, vitality and growth of the region.
City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development Strategic Plan
Work with City staff and stakeholders to create a three-year strategy to grow jobs for all Saint Paul residents, increase investment in the city and reduce unemployment among Saint Paul’s low-income and diverse residents.
Greater Metropolitan Workforce Council – Regional WIOA Planning
Managed comprehensive planning effort for seven county workforce development entity to develop first-ever regional plan. The new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) asked for individual Workforce Development Boards to jointly engage stakeholders and create a set of regional strategies to improve outcomes, align resources and address workforce needs. In addition to planning, Ellen managed the process to create a new governance structure and seat a new board.
Citizens League Metropolitan Council Task Force
Provide support to staff and co-chairs of this high level study group examining the purpose, scope and authority of the Metropolitan Council.
MSP Regional Indicators Dashboard 2015 and 2016
Serve as project manager to refresh the regional dashboard, guide implementation and develop strategy on using the dashboard to inform regional action.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Workforce Innovation Network
Served as Lead Consultant for two years as this innovative funder collaborative focused on systems change in workforce development completed its work. In addition to guiding completion of sector strategies for high growth industries looking to create talent pipelines, Ellen managed initiatives to bring forward the voice of under-represented job seekers to inform policy and practice.
Ellen Watters Consulting, Inc. 