In this website you'll find:

• Information for workforce, education, and human service organizations about serving low-income incumbent workers
• Strategies for public policymakers to address issues relating to low-wage workers
• Stories for businesses and other stakeholders that illustrate the value of training and education

How to Move Families Forward

Overview
The McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Council (GWDC) developed the Families Forward Initiative in 2001 to convene and support partnerships that promote the skill development and career advancement of working families in Minnesota.

The McKnight Foundation's experience in workforce development and welfare reform suggests that the partnerships themselves, including employers, education / training providers, and community-based workforce development organizations, are key to long-term success for both individuals and the businesses that employ them. Further, the Foundation recognizes that to be sustained over time, such efforts must shape and link to publicly-supported systems. Based on this premise, the Foundation asked the GWDC to facilitate the growth of existing partnerships, foster their shared learning, and to link such efforts to the public workforce, economic development, and education systems.
The GWDC worked with 18 partnerships from December 2001 to December 2004 and this website includes many of the GWDC's learnings from the Families Forward Initiative. The material, divided into categories of Service Provider Strategies and Public Policy Issues, is intended to provide a template of ideas for use by service providers, businesses and policymakers. Ultimately, these concepts will help to ensure that Minnesota's low -income incumbent workers are a significant contributor to Minnesota's strong economy.