As we work to build pathways to economic power for people across the US, we must identify and promote solutions that work at scale. Employment social enterprises (ESEs) offer a model for building economic power nationwide — and these businesses are core partners in this work, too!
REDF is a longtime member of the America Forward Coalition, a collective advocacy network of over 100 of our nation’s most impactful and innovative non-governmental organizations. To illustrate the operations and impact of ESEs relative to our public workforce system, America Forward recently spoke with two our our workforce development policy and practice leaders here at REDF: Manie Grewal, Head of Policy, and Adrienne Chuck, Manager, Government Partnerships & Policy.
In that conversation, Manie and Adrienne shared their perspectives on ways in which our nation’s public workforce system could grow more effective and improve employment outcomes — particularly for individuals facing higher barriers to employment — by increasing engagement and alignment with ESEs. They also shared three core lessons that ESEs can teach policymakers:
- Reauthorize WIOA and strengthen training and support provisions to create an economy that works for everyone, ranging from support for transitional jobs to investing in innovation.
- Fund the Reentry Employment Opportunities program to encourage successful reentry for justice-impacted individuals.
- Leverage WIOA Governor Reserve funding to employ talented individuals with barriers to employment in ESEs and supportive employers across the country.
