The role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in providing employment-related services was examined in an exploratory study of FBOs in the following cities: Baltimore, Maryland; Ft. Worth, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and San Diego, California. For purposes of the study, FBOs were defined as organizations that hold…

The self- and group-initiated and on-the-job learning activities of low-income women were explored in a study of a small group of low-income mothers living in the greater Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. During the study, the low-income women attended meetings during which a participating researcher documented the women's experiences.…

The 1998 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) was the first federal legislation to contain a "charitable choice" provision allowing faith-based organizations (FBOs) to compete for state and federal government funds on the same basis as secular providers. For FBOs that consider pursuit of government…

This document examines emerging issues and opportunities for community-based organization (CBO) involvement in welfare reform. The document begins with a brief section of background information on past CBO involvement in helping families move from welfare to work. The next section answers policy questions pertaining to the following issues: (1)…

These eight fact sheets, which are intended for teachers, administrators, and others interested in adult basic education and adult literacy, cover a wide range of topics related to adult learning and literacy. This document contains revised versions of fact sheets 0, 3, 6, 7, 12, 14, 16, and 18. The following are among the topics discussed on the…

Secure state correctional facilities currently house more than 1.8 million adults, and nearly 4.4 million adults fall under state-administered community corrections. A state's approach to corrections and the communication between the state correctional components can have a large impact on the state's correctional education program. Decentralized…

This document, which is part of a toolkit for policymakers, donors, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and practitioners, presents the results of case studies of a group of 30 workforce development programs that were selected (during a 2-day workshop by a panel of 14 experts) as representing a balance among geographic regions served and…

In the late 1990s, many employers were facing short-term and longer-term human resource challenges. Those challenges have prompted many employers to pursue new strategies for finding and retaining qualified employers. Intermediary organizations have emerged as a valuable resource for helping employers find and keep qualified workers. Whatever…

Washington Works is a nonprofit organization founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1992 to help low-income women improve their lives and the lives of their children by teaching them to think differently about themselves. The program offered courses in personal effectiveness training, basic skills training, office skills development, and job search…

This book traces the history and growth of vocational education (VE) in the United States. The following are among the topics discussed in the book's nine chapters: early beginnings of VE in the United States (European influence, apprenticeship, industrial revolution, manual training movement); leaders influencing vocational curriculum development…

The new emphasis on welfare reform, self-reliance, and individual accountability and the new time limits imposed by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program have resulted in large numbers of people between the ages of 18 and 24 entering the work force. The three main career options for youth in transition from school to work are…