Contact us:

Phone       
773.336.6086

E-mail
ntjn@heartlandalliance.org

Address                        
National Transitional Jobs Network
in c/o Heartland Alliance   
4411 N. Ravenswood         
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60640                         

Green-Collar Jobs in America’s Cities: Building Pathways Out of Poverty and Careers in the Clean Energy Economy
Apollo Alliance and Green For All | March 2008

This first-of-its kind guide is intended to inform stakeholders in cities and states across the country to enhance one critical component of America’s shared prosperity – training and employing people for the higher wage, family-supporting careers in the new clean, green, energy efficient job sectors. The guide makes a strong case that pursuing a four-step strategy – essentially a metropolitan green business and jobs development plan – provides a wealth of environmental, economic, and social benefits, including what it calls “a pathway out of poverty” for thousands of unemployed, under-employed, and hard to employ people in disadvantaged neighborhoods. This is good read for anyone interested in how Transitional Jobs programs can take advantage of emerging opportunities in the green economy.

Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy
Sarah White and Jason Walsh | Center on Wisconsin Strategy, The Workforce Alliance, and The Apollo Alliance | March 2008

A companion piece to the report, Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities, this paper outlines a plan of action for state policy makers, highlighting reform opportunities to embrace the greener and more equitable promise of the new energy economy. The report talks about the kind and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy; the skills needed to fill these jobs, and highlights federal resources that can support state green jobs initiatives. It was prepared by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, the Workforce Alliance, and the Apollo Alliance.

Innovative Employment Approaches and Programs for Low-Income Families
Karin Martinson and Pamela Holcomb | Urban Institute | February 2007

Prepared for the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this study distills key lessons learned from current research and profiles innovative approaches and programs for improving the employment prospects of low-income families. The paper identifies and profiles 51 programs that improve the economic success of low-income parents. A helpful appendix section with program design information on individual programs around the country is included.

Life After Lockup: Improving Reentry from Jail to the Community
Urban Institute | May 2008

Urban Institute’s newly released report is an excellent read for anyone working in the reentry field. The report synthesizes key findings from Urban Institute’s Jail Reentry Roundtable, and examines opportunities on the jail-to-community continuum where reentry-focused interventions can make a difference. The report begins by providing some general facts about the current state of incarceration in the U.S., including a discussion of the multiple barriers that individuals with criminal records face after release, including substance addiction, employment and housing instability, mental illness, and health problems. The authors go on to cite examples of promising reentry initiatives from around the country, highlighting successful collaborations between jails/prisons, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, mental health providers, the business community, and other community stakeholders.

Locally Grown: Key Strategies for Expanding Workforce Services
Sheila Maguire | Public/Private Ventures | October 2006

This new P/PV report profiles three workforce organizations across the country-in Colorado, Georgia and New York-and explores the strategies they used as the scale of their programs increased. The report examines the dilemmas workforce organizations frequently face in meeting not only the needs of their dual customers-job seekers and employers-but also the needs of a third customer, the public funding agency that is often paying the bill. Strategies for adaptation and staying true to the organizational mission is an overarching theme.

Transitional Jobs: A Workforce Strategy for Cities
Julie Bosland and Abby Hughes Holsclaw | National League of Cities | 2006

This new report from National League of Cities describes the experience of ten cities across the US as they establish Transitional Jobs programs in their respective communities. Each city gives an account of the challenges and partnerships they encountered, thus giving insight into the decision-making process. A valuable summary of Lessons Learned makes this publication a great read for municipal leaders or anyone advocating on behalf of Transitional Jobs.