State and local policymakers increasingly see the need to adapt workforce and education policies to the economic changes in their states and communities. The new economy is organized around skills, flexibility, and the willingness of all workers and employees to adapt to changing circumstances. For workers, this demands an increased investment in education; for policymakers, these economic realities have put in stark relief the limitations of current workforce, welfare, and education policies. This study identifies and draws lessons from several community colleges and community college programs that have reconsidered their developmental and/or adult education offerings and are actively creating bridges to college and careers for disadvantaged students. This paper presents case studies of programs at Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz, California; Westside Technical Institute at Daley Community College, Chicago, Illinois; Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, Michigan; Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon; and Community College of Denver, Denver, Colorado. For each case study, the paper presents the key initiative of the program(s), and analyzes sustainability, facilitating factors, and continuing challenges. Each of the programs presented here has moved beyond the traditional model of adult basic education, while focusing on teaching and learning as well as outcomes. (Contains 44 references.) (NB)