Working Poor Families Project
The Working Poor Families Project is a national initiative that partners with existing state nonprofit organizations to identify and strengthen state policies that assist working families achieve success in the labor market. The project is currently supported by the Annie E. Casey, Ford, Joyce and Mott foundations.
The project focuses on state workforce development polices in the areas of: education and skills training for adults; economic development; and income and work supports. State partner organizations receive data, technical assistance, and financial support to participate in the project. Participating nonprofits engage in a two-part, phased process that begins with an in-depth assessment of the economic conditions and state policies affecting working families and is followed by actions to strengthen those conditions and policies.
- Part 1: A State Policy Assessment is conducted the first year a state nonprofit organization joins the project. The assessment uses a specific framework of indicators to examine current economic conditions and state policies and programs. This examination culminates in a State Policy Assessment Report that points out where a state’s investments and policies stand in relation to their need, other states, and the nation. Most importantly, the report recommends actions for improving state policies and program operations.
- Part 2: Following the release of the state report, groups engage in the Strengthening State Policy Initiative, which involves educating key stakeholders about the opportunities to improve state workforce development systems and policies. Each organization develops a policy agenda then works to implement that agenda with other stakeholders such as community-based organizations, state and local nonprofit groups, associations of education providers, employers, and state agencies.
As a result of their involvement in the project, state nonprofits have helped make substantial improvements in policies and practices around education and training, economic development and support services to assist low-income working families. The project periodically releases progress reports that detail the positive changes accomplished in the partner states.
Learn More
- The Working Poor Families Project is currently active in 23 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more, please visit the Working Poor Families Project website.