Publications
Imagine What's Possible: Transformative Policy Ideas From 100+ Social Innovators
Imagine What’s Possible is a robust set of policy recommendations for the next Administration and Congress that reflects the expertise of the proximate leaders and groundbreaking organizations that make up the America Forward Coalition. Imagine What’s Possible focuses on three key areas of federal policy – economic mobility and social innovation, education, and democracy and community-building – that are essential to supporting students, workers, families, and communities in America.
America Forward Guidance on COVID-19 ESSER Funding
Workforce Systems Alignment and Innovation: Department of Labor Recommendations
This briefing highlights policy proposals for the Department of Labor (DOL) to pursue in the first year of the Biden-Harris Administration.
Advancing Equity Through National Service
Based on its proven track record to date, we see national service as a powerful tool to support students, increase opportunity, grow the capacity of nonprofit organizations, and address a variety of needs in under-resourced communities. Now, at a time when the nation must marshal its resources to address profound inequities, we believe that policymakers should embrace the transformational potential of national service to advance equity and move all of America forward.
America Forward's Presidential Transition Memo
America Forward's top policy recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration.
Advancing Whole-Learner Education Roadmap
This Policy Roadmap recommends strategies that can help close the gap between what we know students need, and what our current education system provides, so that every learner can grow into a capable, caring, and engaged member of society.
United to Move America Forward: Policy Playbook
United to Move America Forward is a policy briefing book intended for candidates and policymakers at all levels of government who are committed to harnessing the power of government to increase opportunity, advance equity, and achieve sustainable change in America. The transformational policy ideas presented in this playbook stem from the groundbreaking work of over 100 social innovators leading results-driven organizations that are solving America’s biggest problems in communities across the country every day. Their insights, and the lived experiences of the community members their organizations serve, shape the proposals presented on these pages and offer a blueprint for policymakers to transform local results into lasting national impact.
Letters & Federal Comments
U.S. Department of Commerce CHIPS Act RFI Response
New Profit | America Forward's CHIPS Act Response letter.
America Forward Letter on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
America Forward's recommendations on the implementation of the school based and mental health provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
America Forward Coalition Letter on COMPETES/USICA Conference Committee
America Forward letter on education and workforce priorities included in the COMPETES and/or in the Senate passed USICA bill.
America Forward FY 23 Appropriations Letter
This letter to Congressional appropriators outlines the America Forward Coalition's key funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2023.
America Forward | Results for America WIOA Reauthorization Letter
Build Back Better Act Letter - January 2022
America Forward's letter to congressional leaders outlining its support for key provisions in a final version of The Build Back Better Act
Build Back Better Act - Congressional Leaders (October 20, 2021)
America Forward's letter to Congressional leaders conveying support for a number of priorities for inclusion in the final Build Back Better Act.
Build Back Better Act - Ed & Workforce Provisions Support Letter (September 24, 2021)
America Forward's letter to Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) of the House Education and Labor Committee conveying support for a number of priorities in the Committee’s portion of the Build Back Better Act.
America Forward Expanding Pathways to Employment Act (July 29, 2021)
America Forward letter expressing support for the bipartisan Expanding Pathways to Employment Act, and urging swift action on this important legislation.
America Forward SIPPRA Letter of Concern (July 21, 2021)
America Forward letter expressing concern with SIPPRA timeline implications.
America Forward Advancing Racial Equity Recommendations (July 4, 2021)
America Forward memo to OMB with recommendations on advancing racial equity.
America Forward FY 22 Appropriations Requests Letter (April 28, 2021)
This letter to Congressional appropriators outlines the America Forward Coalition's key funding priorities in the areas of education, workforce development, national service, and justice programs for Fiscal Year 2022.
America Forward Workforce Development Priorities Memo (April 9, 2021)
America Forward's memo to the Senate HELP Committee outlining its workforce development priorities.
2021 House Leadership SNAP E&T Support Letter (March 27, 2021)
America Forward's support letter for the bipartisan Revitalize and Expand SNAP Education and Training for America’s Future Act, or RESET For America’s Future Act, introduced by Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Fred Upton (R-MI).
America Forward Coalition Letter re: OMB Grants Rules (March 23, 2021)
America Forward's final letter to OMB, with comments on its grant guidance regulations, with specific suggestions on how to make them more evidence-oriented, outcome-oriented, and conducive to local innovation.
Letter to Sec. Cardona (ED) on ESSER Guidance
America Forward's letter to Sec. Cardona on ESSER guidance.
America Forward Senate Reconciliation Sign-On Letter (March 5, 2021)
America Forward's letter of support for the Senate reconciliation bill provisions relating to important investments in our education and workforce programs.
America Forward House Reconciliation Sign-On Letter (February 22, 2021)
America Forward's letter of support for the House reconciliation bill provisions relating to important investments in our education and workforce programs.
FINISH Act Support Letter (February 1, 2021)
America Forward's support letter for the Fund for Innovation and Success in Higher Education (FINISH) Act.
America Forward Letter of Support for Miguel Cardona for Secretary of Education (January 29, 2021)
America Forward letter of support for Miguel Cardona for U.S. Secretary of Education.
Articles & Statements
Statement from America Forward on the Recent Federal Court Decision re: DACA (July 22, 2021)
America Forward statement on the ruling from a Texas federal court halting new applications to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Statement from New Profit and America Forward on the Chauvin Trial Verdict (June 25, 2021)
New Profit and America Forward's statement on the guilty verdict returned today in the trial of Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd.
America Forward Statement on Nomination of Michael Smith to Lead AmeriCorps (June 17, 2021)
America Forward's statement in response to news from the White House that President Joe Biden will nominate Michael D. Smith to lead AmeriCorps (formerly the Corporation for National and Community Service).
America Forward’s Statement on President Joe Biden’s FY2022 Discretionary Request (April 9, 2021)
America Forward’s Statement on President Joe Biden’s FY2022 Discretionary Request.
Expanding social emotional learning is key (March 26, 2021)
The last year has been challenging but the future offers educators, district and state leaders, and policymakers an opportunity to reimagine our education system.
What It Means to Have A Former ‘English Learner’ as Secretary of Education (March 16, 2021)
Authored by America Forward Manager Melina Kiper on Miguel Cardona being confirmed as Secretary of Education.
America Forward Statement on the Signing of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (March 11, 2021)
America Forward statement on the signing of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
America Forward Statement on Confirmation of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona (March 1, 2021)
America Forward statement on the confirmation of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
Statement on the House Education & Labor Committee Budget Reconciliation Bill (February 9, 2021)
America Forward's statement in response to the House Education and Labor Committee budget reconciliation bill, introduced by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA).
Scaling Effective Solutions to Support Latinx Learners and Families (February 1, 2021)
Authored by America Forward Director Nithya Joseph and the National Director of Strategic Partnerships at Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors Adrián Pedroza on scaling effective solutions to support Latinx learners and families.
America Forward's Statement on the RESET for America's Future Act (January 25, 2021)
America Forward's statement on Reps. Spanberger and Upton's introduction of the "RESET for America's Future Act" to provide new resources & focus on evidence & outcomes in the SNAP E&T program.
America Forward’s Statement in Response to Violence at the U.S. Capitol (January 15, 2021)
America Forward's Statement on the deadly attack at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
America Forward Statement on the “American Rescue Plan” (January 15, 2021)
America Forward's statement on the “American Rescue Plan,” introduced by President-elect Joe Biden.
Whole-Learner Approaches are Key to Student Success (January 11, 2021)
In her latest Medium article, America Forward Executive Director Deborah Smolover writes about the critical importance of Whole-Learner approaches to addressing the impact of COVID-19 and creating a more equitable, dynamic education system in the long run.