This premier issue of "The Equipped for the Future (EFF) Voice" has been put together to give everyone a snapshot of EFF-related activities across the country. It includes reports on the 12 states that have been participating in the EFF field development process since 1998, and on the many other programs and states that have begun incorporating EFF into adult education, family literacy, and welfare-to-work activities over the past year. This issue includes: (1) From the Director; (2) Innovations in American Government Award; (3) EFF around the County; (4) "Equipped for the Future"; (5) Retail Sales and EFF; (6) LVA [Literacy Volunteers of America] Endorsement of EFF; (7) Learn More about EFF; and (8) Looking Ahead.