NLC establishes poverty reduction workforce
The National League of Cities has selected five cities to lead an effort to reduce poverty and improve welfare-to-work efforts. Dayton, Ohio; Flint, Mich.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Pasadena, Calif.; and Modesto, Calif., have joined together on the Workforce Development for Poverty Reduction project to develop new strategies to move people from poverty to well-paying jobs.
During the next two years, the teams will work individually and together, with the assistance of NLC staff. They will convene for two days each year to share information and strategies, and NLC will disseminate results to cities, state municipal leagues and other organizations.
The five cities will address many challenges, including expanding public support for programs to increase the number of women and low-income and minority workers in skilled trades; using public subsidies to promote creation of jobs that foster self-sufficiency; developing welfare-to-work initiatives that include post-placement opportunities for continuing education and training; exploring new models of joint city-county workforce development programs; linking school-to-work programs with targeted economic development; and expanding transportation to help inner city residents access regional job opportunities.
For more information about project activities, contact Susan Rosenblum, (202) 626-3030; e-mail, rosenblum@ nlc.org.