This monograph presents findings from ethnographic research about parents' work and children's welfare in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Job Initiative. The Initiative was designed to improve the futures of poor, inner city people who were disadvantaged in their previous work efforts because of inadequate education, immigrant/refugee status, incarceration, racism, substance abuse, or inappropriate work experience. The Initiative provided support and assistance to community based organizations and other groups helping low-income workers secure living-wage jobs with benefits and advancement opportunities. Study data came from discussions with and observations of over 400 people associated with 10 Job Initiative families. Chapter 1 presents key lessons about the Initiative. Chapter 2 uses excerpts from Initiative participants to illustrate how work and family intersect for good and ill, elaborating challenges economically disadvantaged families face trying to reach family-supporting incomes, strategies used to keep and advance in jobs, and how these challenges and strategies have an impact on children. Chapters 3 and 4 present conclusions and implications for public policy. Overall, the Initiative resulted in good jobs with higher wages, benefits, and advancement, though reaching that goal was a long process. Four appendices highlight research design, sample description, job initiative site comparison, and job and wage progression charts. (Contains 99 references.) (SM)