Partnering with State Agencies

Overview

The DeBruce Foundation partners at the state-level on initiatives that…

• Align with our mission of expanding pathways to economic growth and opportunity

• Support our commitment to ensure individuals gain access to unique career experiences they would not otherwise have had

• Allow companies to expand their employee pipelines, especially with individuals from diverse backgrounds

• Incorporate the Agile Work Profiler, which is designed to reveal an individual’s skills, interests, and how those line up with careers.

If your state, regional, or local community is looking for ways to accelerate the economic empowerment of individuals with high quality career literacy tools and programming, connect here.

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How We Partner with State Agencies

The DeBruce Foundation is collaborating with the Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Department of Commerce, and Parker Dewey to provide the Kansas Micro-Internship program. Launched on February 1, 2021, this program provides 165,000 students enrolled in 32 Kansas public colleges and universities opportunities to work on short-term, paid professional projects with Kansas-based organizations. Micro-Internships support university recruiting efforts; help businesses identify, assess, and build relationships with students who may be prospective job candidates; and allow students to demonstrate their skills, explore career paths, and develop their professional networks. 

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development has partnered with The DeBruce Foundation to include the Agile Work Profiler (AWP) in Indiana’s online workforce experience known as the Indiana Career Explorer (INCE). From legislation initially passed in 2017, the INCE program rebranded in July 2021 to overall Indiana’s existing workforce development website. The INCE is designed to serve a variety of ages, and state legislation noted it must include “career interest, skills aptitude, and work values assessments.” The Agile Work Profiler is one of three assessment tools on the site. The INCE website is intended for use by any Indiana resident, from adult clients of Indiana’s WorkOne locations to students across higher education, and youth in Indiana high schools.

As the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) plans to advance transformational summer bridge programs for students who are transitioning to post-secondary in the state of Missouri, The DeBruce Foundation began working with the UMKC Summer Bridge program in 2021 to assist students who are transitioning to college. This high-energy, high-impact experience elevates the confidence of students who are at risk of not completing college degrees. Through collaboration with on-campus partners, community mentors, and local businesses, summer bridge programs like the one at UMKC are transformational. In addition, The DeBruce Foundation routinely sponsors and presents in the MDHEWD Equity Summit and the Bridges to Success webinars.

The Maryland Department of Labor (MD DOL) has partnered with The DeBruce Foundation to expand career pathways and drive economic growth by providing free resources, such as the Agile Work Profiler (AWP) to job seekers. Through this collaboration, MD DOL job centers direct users to Agilities.org to complete the AWP as an essential first step in their employment search. In October 2024, the MD DOL joined forces with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation to host four Agilities workshops focused on career exploration for individuals aged 18–21. These workshops also qualify as reemployment activities for job seekers, requirements vary by state, but these activities demonstrate that an individual is seeking employment. By leveraging the AWP, Career Explorer Tools, and tailored training on integrating Agilities into resumes and interviews, the MD DOL empowers clients to succeed in their future careers.

The Missouri Department of Corrections is collaborating with The DeBruce Foundation to integrate the Agilities framework and Agile Work Profiler (AWP) into state programming and re-entry efforts. The first phase of the initiative is designed for individuals who are incarcerated and within 6-12 months of their anticipated release. In January 2025, staff from nineteen re-entry centers participated in a two-day Agilities Coach Training at The DeBruce Foundation offices. During the training, staff explored their own Agilities, gaining insights to affirm and activate these strengths, preparing them to guide others effectively. The Foundation is working closely with these corrections facilities to continue to expand access of resources to more of those who are in the Missouri Department of Corrections system.