The document describes a website called STEP AHEAD that was created to provide career resources for ex-offenders in Minnesota. The website was developed by iSeek Solutions with funding from the Minnesota Department of Corrections. It contains six steps to guide ex-offenders in assessing themselves, exploring career options, creating a career plan, expanding skills through education and training, finding a job, and managing their career. The website aims to increase awareness of career options for ex-offenders and help connect them to transition resources. Customization of the website for other regions is also an option.

1. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/

2. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
What You’ll See
Background on STEP AHEAD Project
Highlights, Features of Website
Contact Information and Next Steps
Slides DO NOT Have Sound

3. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Why Make a Website for
Ex-Offenders?
Provide “online” career information within
correctional facilities
Increase awareness of career options
Inform about college and job-training programs
Connect soon-to-be-released inmates with
transition resources
Encourage digital-literacy skills

4. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
 BEFORE Release: In State of Minnesota
Correctional Facilities
~ Part of Offender Network (secured server)
as of June 2012
 AFTER Release: For Ex-Offenders,
Job Seekers, and Advisers
~ Expanded ISEEK.org ex-offender section
Why Make a Website for
Ex-Offenders?
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/

5. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Who Created STEP AHEAD?
STEP AHEAD was produced by
iSeek Solutions (www.iseek.org/info/partners.html)
with funding from the Minnesota Department of
Corrections (http://doc.state.mn.us/).
It was developed in partnership with the
DOC Transition Coalition team
(https://forums.doc.state.mn.us/site/tc/default.aspx).

6. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Made in Minnesota for Ex-Offenders Everywhere
Location-Specific Content
 Labor Market Information
 Educational Programs
 Community Resources
Most Content Helps Any Ex-Offender Job Seeker
Contact to customize website for your region:
www.iseek.org/info/contactus.html
Who Created STEP AHEAD?

7. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Content in 6-Steps
1. Assess Yourself
2. Explore Careers
3. Create a Plan
& Set Goals
4. Expand Skills
5. Find a Job
6. Manage Your Career
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/

8. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Step 1: Assess Yourself

9. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/assess-yourself/

10. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Addresses Issues Important to Ex-Offenders

11. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org

12. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Can Print Easy Holland Code Interest Assessment

13. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Step 2: Explore Careers

14. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
STEP AHEAD Explains What a “Career” Is

15. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/explore-careers/

16. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Shows Green Careers and Other Growing Options

17. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Can Search 500+ Career Profiles

18. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
“Caution” Symbol for Occupations That Might Not
Be Open to Someone with Felony Conviction

19. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Career Profiles Show Wages, Education Needed, and More

20. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Step 3: Create A Plan
& Set Goals

21. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
STEP AHEAD Addresses Real Concerns

22. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Exercises To Make Good Decisions

23. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Help to Make and Stick to a Career Plan

24. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Step 4: Expand Skills

25. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Identify All Skills Useful for a Job

26. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/expand-skills/

27. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Help for Nontraditional College Students

28. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Clarifying Federal Financial Aid Policies

29. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
STEP AHEAD Lists Public and Private Programs

30. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Step 5: Find A Job

31. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Info for People New or Returning to Job Market

32. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
STEP AHEAD Helps Transitioning Ex-Offenders

33. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/find-job/

34. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org

35. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Know about the Workplace

36. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Step 6: Manage
Your Career

37. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org

38. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Realistic Help to Achieve Goals

39. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Next Steps
 Spread the Word about STEP AHEAD
- Career and employment advisers
- Transitions and corrections staff
- Ex-offender job seekers
 Consider Customization
- Develop website for your correctional system or region
- Create curriculum or training materials for ex-offenders
- Contact Denise Felder for options
(www.iseek.org/exoffenders/contact-us.html)

40. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
Your Comments?
Contact Us:
 www.iseek.org/exoffenders/contact-us.html
 Denise Felder, iSeek Solutions Content & Outreach Specialist

41. Minnesota’s career, education, and job resource. www.iseek.org
www.iseek.org/exoffenders/