There are literally hundreds of high-quality Web sites with workforce development information that will prove valuable in research, planning, oversight or simply to help one gain a better understanding of the topic. While we cannot list all such sites here, we welcome your suggestions for additions to this section. Please contact us at Workforce Institute.
Policy
The Administration and Congress: Public Laws, Bills and Regulations
These sites provide legislation and regulations straight from the horse's mouth.
Thomas. Everything you want to know about the U.S. Congress can be found here: floor debate, copies of bills and public laws, and committee membership and activities. A service of the Library of Congress.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration. The information at this Web site goes well beyond WIA policy. While it has many uses, this site is ideal for tracking administration policy on workforce legislation, funding, regulations, and more.
http://www.doleta.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Youth and Families. Information on welfare, welfare-to-work, TANF programs as well as the many social service programs managed by HHS..
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Detailed information on the Perkins and Adult Education acts, as well as program and policy information related to postsecondary training and education.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/index.html
Workforce Investment Act and Related Workforce Legislation
Stay up-to-date with these leading sites dedicated to tracking changes in workforce legislation. Each has a point of view, so check out several to gain a broad understanding.
The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). Tracks primarily WIA and appropriations. Some material may be limited to members. Check out "Advocacy Central" to track legislation on issues of interest to you.
http://www.nawb.org
The National Governors' Association (NGA) and the National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs. You will find policy papers from both state workforce board and governors' perspectives but little information specific to pending legislation. Go to "The Center for Best Practices" for information on workforce, education, and welfare legislation.
http://www.nga.org
http://www.subnet.nga.org/workforcecouncilchairs
National Workforce Association (NWA). Tracks primarily WIA and appropriations, information may be limited to members in the future.
http://nwaonline.org
Center for Law and Social Policy. Researches impact of policy on low-income families. Information and points of view on both workforce and welfare reform.
http://www.clasp.org/
TANF and Welfare Topics
The Economic Success Clearinghouse. A subsection of The Finance Project (below) with a huge data base focused on TANF and related welfare issues, polices and programs. Also tracks legislation.
http://www.financeprojectinfo.org/WIN/
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The Center studies the impact on low-income families of state and federal spending and policy. Research is undertaken in many areas related to workforce development; however, their welfare reform/TANF work is of particular interest.
http://www.cbpp.org/pubs/welfare.htm
American Public Human Services Association (APHSA). Represents employees in human service field, good source for following welfare, child care and food stamp issues. Certain sections restricted to members.
http://www.aphsa.org/Home/News.asp
Career/Vocational and Technical Education/Higher Education Act
American Association of Community Colleges. The government relations section includes information of the status on most workforce bills. Particularly useful site for understanding community college policy positions and keeping track of the major issues in the federal legislative process.
http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Template.cfm?section=GovernmentRelations
Workforce Budget and Appropriations Information
For those who are interested primarily in the endgame, the final budget and appropriations for WIA and other workforce programs, these reports and charts will be available at the Institute's Policy page as well as at many of the sites listed in this links section. For those who want to follow the process more closely or in more detail:
Office of Management and Budget. Sets forth the President's proposed budget each year. Good for the big picture, not the best place to figure out individual program funding proposals. For this information you may want to go to the Web site of the sponsoring federal agency.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees.
http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/
http://appropriations.house.gov/
Trends, Workforce Programs and Services
The Finance Project. A name that does not suggest content, but this site has a wealth of information to assist in policy and program development with particular emphasis on low-wage workers, low-income families, community development, welfare and K-12 education. Free e-mail updates available.
http://www.financeproject.org/
Public/Private Ventures. One of the oldest research and development firms in the workforce field, P/PV's site highlights their work in youth development, workforce development and related areas. Free e-mail updates available.
http://www.ppv.org/index.asp
WorkforceUSA.net Provides an extensive "virtual" library of tools to support the various activities workforce development professionals perform: labor market analysis; design of labor market systems; program design; program management; labor exchange; recruitment; assessment; career development; training and education; and workplace practices. Search the site by industry, state, population, strategy, and keyword. Supported by DOL and foundations. Register for free updates.
http://www.workforceusa.net/home/index.cfm
Center for Workforce Preparation (U.S. Chamber of Commerce). Information on one-stops, business partnerships, community leadership. Free e-mail service available.
http://www.uschamber.com/icw/default
Corporation for a Skilled Workforce. Good information on workforce boards, one-stops, program management, industry sector initiatives and more. Provides fee-based consulting services.
http://www.skilledwork.org/
MDRC. A social policy research organization with a great deal of historical and contemporary information on welfare and workforce development policy and programs.
http://www.mdrc.org/