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Work & Economic Support Publications

Reexamining (Part of) Wisconsin's Approach to Assisting the Unemployed: Are We Due for Changes in W-2? (July/August 2008). The launch of the new Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, which now administers W-2, suggests an appropriate time to reexamine the program's effectiveness and consider policy changes that could improve outcomes for low-income families and their kids.

Aiding Success: Workforce and Financial Aid Trends Call for Increased Funding of Wisconsin Higher Education Grants for Technical College Students (June 2008). The Technical Colleges are a critical component of the state’s workforce development efforts. And for many working parents the flexible occupational programs offered there are a sure route to greater economic security for their families. Financial aid for these students, however, has not kept pace with increased costs and increased demand for aid awards. In this issue brief WCCF researchers examine recent trends and offer alternative funding approaches to financial aid for technical college students.

Pulling Apart (April 2008). By income data, Wisconsin is one of the most equal states in the nation, but income inequality continues to grow here as it does in the nation as a whole. This report from WCCF and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy takes a look at income growth over a number of decades for different income groups, and puts Wisconsin's trends in a regional context. A number of policy recommendations are then offered for making sure Wisconsin remains one of the most equal states in the country.

The Tarnished American Dream? A Prescription for Sustainable Homeownership in Wisconsin (March 2008). Homeownership has long been considered a key step toward financial security, with important benefits for both the homeowner and the rest of the community. Unfortunately, the dream of homeownership is becoming a nightmare for many families, as the number of foreclosures balloons nationwide. This article explores the impact of the current turmoil in the housing market, and considers strategies for addressing the problem.

Indexing the Minimum Wage (January 2008). Take a look at this issue brief covering indexing of the minimum wage and what that could mean for the thousands of Wisconsin families that depend on it and the businesses that employ them. Also check out these FAQs on the minimum wage.

Financial Aid Leads to Economic Security (December 2007). By thoughtfully redesigning our financial aid system for higher education, we can create tools that will better serve both workers in need of enhanced skills and the employers in need of a better-skilled workforce. Read this recent WisKids Journal article on financial aid.

AB 439 Testimony: Take a look at WCCF Research Analyst John Keckhaver's written testimony on this bill which would expand financial aid to those attending technical colleges on a less than part time basis, would create dual-enrollment options for some adult basic education students, and would require better outcome reporting from our basic education programs.

Summary of AB439: Strengthening Wisconsin Families Study Committee Legislation on Technical College and Financial Aid Improvements (July 2007). Read a brief description of AB 439, legislation unanimously approved on April 30th by the Strengthening Wisconsin Families legislative council study group. Included are changes to the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant, information reported by the Wisconsin Technical College System relating to adult basic education outcomes and performance, and the creation of "dual-enrollment" options for basic education students.

Bridges, Pathways, and Leadership (July 2007). In this report, staff examine the growing skilled worker shortage along with the challenges low-skilled working adults face as they attempt to retool their skillls and increase their employability. A number of specific program and policy steps are offered that could lead to greater educational and employment outcomes for our growing population of low-skilled workers. Click here for the full report, and here to access only the executive summary.

How to Create a Competitive Advantage for Wisconsin’s Families and Employers (December 2006). WCCF statement to the members of the legislative Special Committee on Strengthening Wisconsin Families, outlining the Council’s legislative priorities of reforming Adult Basic Education and Financial Aid Tools to better match the needs of working parents around the state.

Maximizing Tax Refunds: Putting More Money in Worker's Pockets and Into Local Economies by Decreasing Reliance on Refund Anticipation Loans. A new WCCF report analyzing recent IRS data indicates that low-income workers and local businesses are paying heavy costs due to high Refund Anticipation Loan use. The report includes a discussion of the reasons tax filers turn to RALs, a look at how people file their taxes, and concludes with a few recommendations for how policymakers can decrease the reliance on RALs and effectively put more money in workers pockets and into local economies. Department of Revenue Tax Information and VITA site locations: www.revenue.wi.gov

Tracking What Matters: Using Improved Performance Measures to Gauge Success of W-2. A new report from the Council examines how performance measures are used and how they’ve changed since the inception of W-2. Also included are a look at what a number of other states do along with recommendations that could help program administrators, policymakers, and the public understand the impact W-2 is having on participants. Also, see two-page summary.

New Ways of Working Together for Literacy. An interview with Michele Erikson, Executive Director of Wisconsin Literacy, Inc., by John Keckhaver
As our economy and demographics change nationally, improving basic skills including literacy is taking on even more importance. The same is true in Wisconsin. Here, a statewide literacy umbrella organization is positioning itself to better aid those providing literacy services in community, corrections, workplace, family, and faith-based settings. Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. and its Executive Director, Michele Erikson, are at the forefront of meeting the growing literacy challenges faced by our workers and employers.

Strengthening the Foundation of Wisconsin's Workforce (November 2006). This PowerPoint presentation contains a wealth of information on the status of the basic skills of our workforce, along with demographic and economic changes that are making the suggested reforms of our basic educational offerings even more important to working families and employers alike.

TANF Turns 10 on August 21, 2006. Included are a number of policy briefs on TANF-related issues along with substantial reports on TANF spending trneds and upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Toward A Better Design: New Economy Challenges Require a Better W-2 Program in the Bay Area (April 2006) , a report from the Bay Area Task Force, a cooperative effort of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families and the Bay Area Workforce Development Board.

Who's Hiring Whom for What? A Report on Employer Practices and Perceptions in Wisconsin and Their Implications for the Future of Welfare Reform. This report contains findings from WCCF's statewide employer survey, covering a wide range of issues related to low-skill workers in Wisconsin 

DWD proposes strategies to manage the W-2 caseload and related budget pressures (July 2004).

"Wisconsin's Workforce Development Funding," a comprehensive summary of all workforce development / job training programs in the state (August 26, 2003).