Nadine’s Journey to Stability and Purpose

Posted on by Grace Moster

Nadine is a single mother to four children. One of her younger children has a severe disability requiring constant, around-the-clock care. Due to his disability, she had been unable to find childcare, which in turn made it difficult to find a stable job. Adding to her challenges in finding employment was the fact that she was justice-involved and faced housing instability.

Nadine enrolled in the Arapahoe County Colorado Works Program. Her Workforce Specialist provided her with information on two companies that could train and pay her to become a Parent-Certified Nursing Aide. The Colorado Works Program provided her with supportive services to assist with her job search needs.

After contacting the home health care company and the Department of Regulatory Agencies to determine her eligibility, Nadine was approved and began training. After completing training, she was approved to be her son’s full-time aide.

Nadine recently passed her one-year work anniversary; she and her family are finally safe and stable.

Of the program, Nadine says, “I was working two hours a week at Panera, fresh out of federal prison and drowning…no one would hire me…I didn’t know how we’d survive, let alone escape…You didn’t treat me like the lost cause I felt like. You treated me like a human. You got us into Colorado Works, connected us to resources, food, clothes, training, [and] workshops; you even believed I could be a nursing assistant before I did. Now I’m here, a year into this job, finally stable.”

Remembering Lenita Jacobs-Simmons: a True Workforce Development Champion

Posted on by Grace Moster

NAWB was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lenita Jacob-Simmons at the end of June. Lenita was a force in the workforce development world. She was a dedicated leader at the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration whose work touched countless programs, professionals, and lives.  

More than her impressive career, Lenita was known for championing others. She believed in the power of work to transform lives and communities. Many of us were lucky to learn from her, be encouraged by her and inspired by her.  

We are privileged to have her son, Walter Simmons, on our Board of Directors. His leadership locally at Employ Prince George’s and nationally with us at NAWB and our friends at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals is a beautiful reflection of Lenita’s values and legacy.  

To honor her work and spirit, her family has established the Lenita Jacobs-Simmons Memorial Fund, with the Greater Washington Community Foundation to support workforce development professionals’ own professional development. 

 

 

 

NAWB Releases New Report: Forging What’s Next: Workforce Leaders on Innovation and Impact

Posted on by Grace Moster

Earlier this year, NAWB hosted a series of listening sessions with hundreds of workforce leaders to understand how the system is adapting to rapid technological, economic, and labor market changes.

The insights gathered highlight emerging strategies and innovations aimed at increasing impact, efficiency, and personalization across the workforce ecosystem.

We’re proud to share Forging What’s Next: Workforce Leaders on Innovation and Impact with our members. This report captures the collective wisdom, bold ideas, and shared commitment that surfaced throughout these conversations.

Key themes include the use of AI to streamline operations, human-centered service design, deeper industry partnerships, and reimagining funding models.

NAWB remains committed to partnering across the workforce system to identify, scale, and sustain the most effective innovations—empowering individuals, supporting businesses, and driving economic vitality in communities nationwide.

Download the report: Forging What’s Next Workforce Leaders on Innovation and Impact