Results for America and the Families and Workers Fund Helping Communities Implement Evidence-Based Efforts to Improve Job Quality
March 22, 2023 – Clark County, Nev. is excited to announce that it has been selected to participate in the second phase of Results for America’s Good Jobs & Equity Project (GJE) backed by the Families and Workers Fund, which will help 12 U.S. jurisdictions implement innovative job quality strategies that promote economic mobility and strengthen local economies.
“Our office strives to be a valuable resource for our businesses in the county as well as for local workers,” said Shani Coleman, Director of the Clark County Office of Community and Economic Development. “It’s an honor to be chosen to participate in the Good Jobs and Equity initiative to create workforce development programs specifically to increase the number of quality EMTs and Paramedics in Clark County.”
Nationwide, more than 53 million Americans are working in low-wage jobs, and roughly six in 10 workers report being in “mediocre” or “bad” jobs. The Good Jobs & Equity Project represents a growing movement to rethink what makes a good job and take evidence-based action to promote equitable, high-quality employment for all.
“For decades, governments have focused mostly on the quantity of jobs created, not the quality of those jobs. But that is changing—these 12 communities are taking steps to lift wages, improve benefits, provide stable schedules, and ensure voice, dignity and purpose,” said Michele Jolin, CEO and Co-Founder of Results for America. “We look forward to helping leaders use evidence-based strategies to create high-quality jobs for their residents and build more vibrant and sustainable communities for all.”
Through the Good Jobs & Equity Project, jurisdictions will receive the tools, resources and skills needed to build and use evidence and data to create high-quality jobs. The project will also identify the most effective evidence-based strategies for improving job quality in more communities across the country.
With the resources provided by the GJE program, Clark County will develop strategic career paths for economically vulnerable residents who are interested in becoming emergency medical technicians or paramedics, which are in high demand and offer fair, livable wages. During this phase, the County will construct a training and career advancement program in conjunction with its local workforce development board, Workforce Connections, to train and provide wrap-around services for new EMTs, while helping existing EMTs advance to certified paramedics.
“We’re thrilled to support state and local leaders through RFA’s Good Jobs & Equity Project as they leverage historic federal investments to provide good jobs that sustain and uplift all residents,” said Rachel Korberg, Executive Director of the Families and Workers Fund. “These innovative projects will be models for communities across the country looking to break down the racial, gender, and other inequities that have left too many Americans behind.”
The project will run through December 2024 and include a comprehensive evaluation of resident impact, with the goal that Clark County’s learnings can provide a roadmap for other communities as they advance job quality. Learn more here.
The Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) is the primary resource for new, established, and prospective businesses interested in investing, expanding, or relocating to Clark County, Nevada. With a dedicated team of experts, OCED provides businesses and developers with the answers, tools, and resources needed to start a new project or expand an existing business. Home to 2.3 million residents, Clark County covers roughly 8,000 square miles and is the 11th-largest county in the nation. Committed to enhancing and supporting the economic viability of the unincorporated areas of Clark County and advancing inclusive, sustainable growth, OCED is building awareness of the economic opportunities and “bright beyond the lights” of Las Vegas.
Results for America: Results for America is a leading national nonprofit organization helping policymakers at all levels of government harness the power of evidence and data to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Results for America’s mission is to make investing in what works the “new normal” so that government decision-makers regularly and effectively use evidence and data to increase the impact of the over $2 trillion that governments spend each year to open opportunities and advance economic mobility.
Families & Workers Fund: The Families and Workers Fund is a platform for collective action and a pooled $65+ million collaborative fund supported by 25 diverse funders working together to build a more equitable economy that uplifts all. We were founded on the belief that the United States is experiencing a once-in-a-generation opening to advance economic security, opportunity, and mobility. The Fund is able to respond quickly and effectively to emerging ideas by leveraging catalytic partnerships and collaboration across philanthropy, government, and the private sector.
Press Contacts:
Clark County: Tyler Holder, tyler@northstarideas.com
Results for America: Cheryl Burnett, cheryl@results4america.org, 310-560-6648