Strengthening State Policies for Working Families
Latest Publication from WPFP
"Building Opportunity: How States Can Leverage Capital and Infrastructure Investments to Put Working Families on a Path to Good Jobs "
Each year states spend billions of dollars to build and repair roads, bridges, sewers, schools, subsidized housing, and government facilities. These and other capital and infrastructure investments employ millions of construction workers. Increasingly states are looking for policies that expand access to these jobs to low-income working families. This new Working Poor Families Project report, Building Opportunity, profiles how states can shape policies and program efforts to both 1) boost the supply of skilled workers by connecting low-income, low-skilled adults to construction-related skills development programs, and 2) increase employer commitment and demand for hiring these workers and paying them family-sustaining wages.
"Building and Strengthening State Data Systems to Measure Community College and Workforce Outcomes "
In order to develop a more skilled workforce, it is critical that all states be able to assess education and skills development program performance and participant outcomes. This requires well-designed and effectively-used state data systems. This policy brief examines the issues associated with creating, improving and connecting state postsecondary, adult education and skills development data systems. It also identifies barriers states may encounter and overcome, profiles model state systems, and makes policy recommendations to help state advocates build or improve their state data systems..
Read the Policy Brief (pdf)
Millions of American breadwinners work hard to support their families. But, despite their determination and effort, many are mired in low-wage jobs that provide inadequate benefits and offer little opportunity for advancement and economic security. Compounding the problem are public policies that do not adequately prepare workers to advance to higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs or promote the creation of quality jobs. The future for these working families is laden with challenges.
The Working Poor Families Project (WPFP) was launched in 2002 by national philanthropic leaders who saw the need to strengthen state policies affecting these working families. The national initiative is now supported by the Annie E. Casey, Ford, Joyce and Mott foundations. The WPFP focuses on the states because many of their policies and investments critically affect the lives of working families.
The WPFP began work in five states and after six years is now active in 25 states and the District of Columbia. In each state the WPFP partners with one or more nonprofit organizations to strengthen state policies to better prepare America’s working families for a more secure economic future.
Read the latest national report from WPFP
Featured Publication from WPFP State Partner
Read this recent report from Seattle Jobs Initiative:
Charting a Path: An Exploration of the Statewide Career Pathway Efforts in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin (June 2009)
Download the report (pdf)
