Redesigning Work Pathways for Mothers to Break Cycles of Poverty

Decades of research show a mother's education level and career readiness predict a child's academic trajectory, yet education and workforce systems often force mothers to choose between caregiving and advancement. NCFL reframes this false tradeoff by integrating mothers' attainment of workforce credentials with child learning through a family literacy model. By embedding skill development and career exploration into intergenerational learning, the approach expands access to credentials, strengthens family well-being, and helps lift families from poverty.