This post is Part II of II. Part I focused on why now is the time to make a historic investment in public servants.

COVID-19 has exposed weaknesses in our social and economic systems. With 85,000 fatalities to date and the death toll rising, it is clear our public health system was not ready to meet a challenge like this pandemic. Nor has our social safety net been able to deliver the relief that individuals, families, and small businesses need to survive this crisis.

In the previous post I argued that we will need big, bold ideas to recreate and rebuild our systems into something that serves everyone better. And we will also need people to do this work -- government employees who are courageous, creative, and connected to the communities they serve, AKA ‘Herocrats.’

With COVID-19, we need Herocrats now more than ever. But where and how can we make the investment that is needed to develop them?

With the economic slowdown, tax revenues are way down, which means government budgets are being dramatically cut. The type of programs that develop Herocrats – paid internships, leadership development cohorts, fellowships – are being reduced or canceled completely. All Peace Corps volunteers were sent home in March. Summer intern positions in local and state government have been called off. Not only are budgets tight, but it is difficult to deliver these programs virtually because they rely on relationship-building, observation, and on-the-job training.

Yet, it can be done. It will just take creativity to figure out the model, and courage to make a significant investment.

Proposals are on the table to rapidly expand existing service programs like AmeriCorps to manage the epidemic and safely reopen our economy. This action would not only help with short term needs like expanding testing, conducting contact tracing, and stemming unemployment. It would also give hundreds of thousands of people a potential ‘foot in the door’ and skill-building for future careers in public service.

This kind of sweeping action is needed on the national level. But we don’t have to wait for Congress to act in order to apply similar concepts at the local and state levels. Here in Minnesota we already have a solid infrastructure of public service programs that serve different populations and purposes. Some of the prominent ones include:

StepUp and Right Track programs place thousands of high school students and other youth in paid internships in local government agencies and with other employers. These programs build young people’s careers while also diversifying and strengthening organizations.
Urban Scholars places college and graduate students in paid internships in government agencies, helping them to explore potential careers in public service. Program participants also get mentoring from senior leaders in government. Since 2012, Urban Scholars has grown from placing just eight students to developing over 100 scholars each summer.
Capitol Pathways is a program by the Citizens League that places college students of color in paid internships with government offices, nonprofits, corporations, and law firms where they can gain experience and build relationships in and around the Capitol.
Nexus Community Partners’ Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute is a 7-month leadership program that supports, trains and helps place People of Color and other underrepresented community members on city and county publicly appointed boards and commissions. In these roles, community members are able to influence and impact equity in the Twin Cities Metro Area in economic development, health, housing, transit and workforce development.

Image from https://www.solid-ground.org/

In addition to these nonprofit- and government-led programs, colleges and universities do much of the heavy lifting to prepare people for careers in public service. Here in the Twin Cities, we have several first-class graduate and undergraduate programs in public administration, public affairs, and related fields.

Within the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, the Master of Public Policy and Master of Urban and Regional Planning programs produce dozens of future Herocrats each year. Students in these programs participate in internships, which provide valuable hands-on professional development (and usually, a wage). But given the upheaval caused by COVID-19 this year, a Humphrey School administrator reports that paid internship opportunities for students with public agencies have decreased significantly.

Beyond these Minnesota examples, similar programs are also training Herocrats throughout the country. And in addition to the well-known national programs like AmeriCorps, Teach for America and Peace Corps, there are smaller but powerful programs like Coro Fellows and the International City and County Managers’ Association’s (ICMA) Local Government Management Fellowship.

As someone who has benefited from two of these programs -- I am a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and Local Government Management Fellow-- I know how they can affect the trajectory of a life and a career. But I also believe that when taken together, over years, these programs can make a positive impact on our country. By shaping the people who are operating and reimagining our systems, these programs change the shape of those systems.

While it may be tempting to dial these programs back in a crisis like this, now is the time to invest in them more than ever. Here are some ways you can be part of that effort:

Make a donation to any of the programs listed above; each organization can accept gifts to support these specific programs. Revenues are falling and budgets are tightening for all types of organizations. Your donation can help to ensure that people have opportunities.
Contact your elected officials to express your support for legislation that invests in public service while also addressing COVID-19 challenges.
Volunteer through your local government. Here is the Twin Cities both Ramsey and Hennepin Counties provide volunteer opportunities.
Encourage others to consider public service, either through the programs mentioned above or by directly applying to job postings.
Show your appreciation to the Herocrats in your life, whether that means sending a note to an acquaintance who is a public servant, or simply by thanking your bus driver or mail delivery person.

In uncovering our systemic weaknesses, COVID-19 has also reminded us where to apply our collective strengths. Public service programs are one strategic place to start.