As communities begin to gain a deeper understanding of the Bridges model, I am often asked why they would have people become certified in any or all of the sectors. My answer is that having certified trainers is a way to throw open the doors in your community to share the information.

Bridges certified trainers are able to present the Bridges Out of Poverty workshop, and they can provide the second day to take a deeper dive into embedding the constructs. This lays a much stronger foundation in your community. Before you know it, there will be “Bridges language” spoken in multiple agencies and organizations and throughout the community.

Here are some things to ponder:

  • Having a person certified in Bridges to Health and Healthcare provides the opportunity to talk the “health and healthcare language” with healthcare providers. Increasing patience compliance, lowering emergency room use, and providing healthcare with “out of the box” thinking gets the attention of nurses, doctors, and other providers.
  • Workplace Stability certified training provides language to talk with employers. Showing the cost of turnover, ROI, and providing a business model for stabilizing employees can provide stability and new job opportunities in your community.
  • Certification in A Framework for Understanding Poverty brings in the PK–12 sector. Teachers and administrators strengthen outcomes when they work from the same understanding. Partnering with Bridges Out of Poverty certified trainers and Getting Ahead facilitators brings the work to two generations of a family and creates even more stability.
  • Bringing in higher education through College Achievement Alliance certification means stronger retention rates and a deeper understanding of barriers that face under-resourced and first-generation students.

I’m sure you can add your own reasons to the ones I have provided. As you think about the growth needed in your Bridges community, consider joining us in Minneapolis for our in-person certifications for Bridges Out of Poverty, Framework, and College Achievement Alliance.