Disadvantaged Start
56% of Jobs Initiative participants had reported annual family incomes of $9,000 or less; 53% were single parents with children living at home.
Casey began the Jobs Initiative premised on the value that disadvantaged people should be able to work their way out of poverty. While the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was premised on the same values, it falls short of realizing such outcomes. This policy brief presents lessons learned and WIA recommendations from Casey's work.
In just over 3 years, the Jobs Initiative served over 12,500 people. It proved that it is possible to improve employment outcomes for thousands of under- and unemployed workers. They did it by collaborating with government agencies, employers, labor, community colleges and community organizations, and by offering a mix of employment services, including job training.