The task of matching people to jobs is made difficult by the cumulative effects of change. Flexibility of the labor force has decreased because of the lack of low skill jobs and the increased employment of women and minority groups. Oregon's research efforts, prompted by need for data by public and private sectors, was directed at ways of…

The five states featured in this second edition of "Innovative States" were chosen because they reflect crucial elements in an emerging understanding of state policy making in family support and education. Creative state partnerships involving program development and funding are a key ingredient to successful endeavors. States rely on…