Membership

Our work is a coordinated effort of urban workforce development boards (WDB) across the Midwest.

What is MUS Membership?

Midwest Urban Strategies offers a unique collaborative network that connects urban workforce development organizations across the Midwest, fostering innovative solutions and sharing best practices to enhance regional economic growth.

By joining our organization, members gain access to a wealth of resources, including expert insights, funding opportunities, and powerful partnerships, all aimed at driving meaningful change in their communities.

Together, we are dedicated to creating a more skilled, inclusive, and prosperous workforce, making Midwest Urban Strategies the ideal partner for organizations committed to making a difference in the urban landscape.

Learning Lab group of people listening to speaker in classroom setting

Member Resources

Member Categories

Friend of MUS

  • An individual or entity interested in MUS's work and mission.

Affiliate Member

  • Affiliate members are organizations that share an interest in the work of the public workforce system  (and/or operate local systems) and support the vision and mission of MUS. They are aligned with organizations that collaborate with workforce development boards and share the values of the membership.  

MUS Member

  • MUS members are a consortia of Midwest workforce development boards spearheading innovative practices that drive economic prosperity for all.  With an intentional focus on underserved/under resourced communities, the consortium aims to leverage resources, best practices, networking, tools and technology to advance employment and economic opportunity.

MUS Slack Channel

Connect, collaborate, and share insights with urban development professionals across the Midwest by joining our Slack channel. Stay updated on the latest events, resources, and discussions in real-time, and build a network of like-minded individuals dedicated to creating vibrant communities. Click the link below to join and become part of our growing community today!

Our Member Organizations

Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board

Canton
,
OH
stwdb.org

The mission of the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board is to assist area businesses in meeting their workforce needs by coordinating the workforce development activities of the numerous employment, education, and economic development entities in the region. The OhioMeansJobs One-Stop System strives to act as a consolidated employment resource for all partner programs, employers, and job seeker customers while supporting the mission of the Workforce Development Board. These platforms provide free services made possible through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and operated locally by the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board and the Stark and Tuscarawas Boards of County Commissioners.

The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Chicago
,
IL
chicookworks.org

Created in 2012, The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) is an umbrella organization operating the public workforce system in the City of Chicago and Cook County. The Partnership combines federal and philanthropic resources to broaden the reach and impact of workforce development services for both employers and job seekers. As the largest non-profit workforce development system in the nation, The Partnership has helped place more than 70,000 individuals in employment, collaborated with more than 2,000 employers, and administers more than $300 million in federal and philanthropic funds. The Partnership’s network of more than 50 community-based organizations, 10 American Job Centers, and sector-driven workforce centers serve 132 municipalities.

Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio

Cincinnati
,
OH
cincyworkforce.org

The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio is a 501c3 Ohio chartered nonprofit organization. The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio implements the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The board is responsible for developing strategies to engage employers, employees, government, education, organized labor and community-based organizations in a partnership to strengthen and expand the workforce resources of the region for the benefit of all the participants and communities where we live, work and raise our families. The SWORWIB sets the vision, policy, and performance expectations for the regional OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) workforce development system In Cincinnati-Hamilton County.

Cleveland/ Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board

Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board (CCWDB) is a proud partner of the American Job Center Network and serves as the advisory body for the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Departments of Workforce Development. The purpose of the departments is to provide resources a to assist area businesses with their hiring and training needs to stay competitive in today’s environment as well as provide residents in the county with the tools necessary for a successful job search. Its programs and services include education, occupational training, job match, search assistance, and employment-related youth programs funded through the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

The Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio

Columbus
,
OH
wdbco.org

The Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio serves the city of Columbus and Franklin county. The Board serves the residents and employers in their workforce region, connecting them to training and supportive services and coordinating the planning and convening of workforce system partners from throughout the region. Operating in a collaborative service delivery model, the Board contracts with ResCare to convene three trusted workforce system partners to deliver services to job seekers and incumbent workers. Those system partners include the Urban League, Goodwill, and Jewish Family Services.

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation

Detroit
,
MI
descmiworks.com

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) became the city of Detroit’s workforce agency in 2012. DESC is part of the Michigan Works! Association anda proud partner of the American Job Center network. DESC regularly partners with political and community leaders, employers, community-based organizations, and stakeholders to raise awareness regarding education and workforce issues facing Detroit residents. DESC serves as the fiscal and administrative entity that provides workforce employment and training services for the City of Detroit. DESC reports to the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board (MWDB), which was appointed by the Mayor of the City of Detroit and is responsible for developing the strategy for Detroit’s workforce development service delivery system.

The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board

Gary/ Valparaiso
,
IN
gotoworkonenw.com

The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board is a 27-member business member led board representing seven counties of Northwest Indiana including Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke, and Pulaski counties. The board incorporated in 2005 as a non-profit board working in partnership with Local Elected Officials covering each of the seven counties. As part of its infrastructure, the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board has contracted with the Center of Workforce Innovations, Inc. to serve as the board staff, as the One Stop Operator, and to provide some services of Title 1 of WIOA.

EmployIndy

Indianapolis
,
IN
employindy.org

EmployIndy has transitioned to focus on target impact areas to create a more community-driven initiative, becoming a hub for targeted populations and those who have given up hope in the possibility of entering or re-entering the workforce. Establishing a more neighborhood-focused form of workforce development will be designed by both increasing the implementation of resources in local community centers and reducing barriers for residents so they may have access to career pathways and gain the necessary skills to excel in the workforce. This strategy presents employers with qualified candidates to fulfill their hiring needs. This ABC (Any Job, Better Job, Career) Approach exemplifies the transitional goal for both workers and employers, realizing that having access to a career and skilled workers is a journey, not just a destination.

The Full Employment Council (FEC)

Kansas City
,
MO
feckc.org

The Full Employment Council Inc. (FEC) is the administrative entity and fiscal agent for two workforce development boards: Kansas City & Vicinity Workforce Development Board and Eastern Jackson County Workforce Development Board. FEC is a business-led private nonprofit corporation whose mission is to obtain public and private sector employment for the unemployed and underemployed residents of the greater Kansas City area. FEC accomplishes this goal by working in collaboration with businesses, local units of government, educational institutions, labor organizations, and community-based organizations. This partnership responds to employer needs while reducing unemployment and underemployment of area residents.

City Of Minneapolis Employment & Training

Minneapolis Employment and Training administers a variety of employment and training programs under the direction of the Mayor, City Council, and Minneapolis Workforce Council. Minneapolis Employment and Training is the administrative entity and staff to the Minneapolis Workforce Council. City programs under the oversight of the Workforce Council include services for low-income adults, dislocated workers, and youth. In Minneapolis, these services are delivered to job seekers and businesses by community-based organizations that have been competitively evaluated and selected based on their ability to effectively serve target groups and achieve employment-related outcomes, including both placement and support for retention in employment.

St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE)

St. Louis
,
MO
stlouis-mo.gov

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) offers job seekers and businesses a variety of no-cost employment services, including job training and career counseling. It is the City of St. Louis government agency that offers job seekers and businesses a variety of no-cost services related to employment, training, and career advancement. SLATE, in coordination with the Missouri State Department of Economic Development (DED), Division of Workforce Development (DWD), the City of St. Louis Mayor's office and several partners, operates SLATE Missouri Career Centers, which connect employers to a skilled workforce and provide training and placement services to the City's adult workforce.

Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas

Wichita
,
KS
workforce-ks.com

The Workforce Alliance is the Local Workforce Development Board, Administrative Entity and Program Administrator for US Department of Labor Education and Training programs in Local Area IV of Kansas, which includes Butler, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Sedgwick and Sumner counties. It is a proud partner of America’s Job Center Network and Kansansworks.com. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law in 2014 and is comprised of multiple titles that provide federal job training programs and adult education programs into block grants. The Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) assures WIOA funds and operations are invested in workforce development activities that address the needs of employers and job seekers in South Central Kansas. Currently, the LWDB operates One Stop Workforce Centers in El Dorado, Winfield, Wellington, and Wichita.

What Our Members Think

"I am thoroughly inspired by the Learning Labs hosted by Kellie Landaker at Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS). These sessions bring together a diverse group of stakeholders employers, job seekers, training providers, and community partners fostering collaboration and innovation in workforce development.

They help bridge organizations and drive meaningful discussion and change across the Midwest and beyond. I love the enriching experience these sessions offer and appreciate how they support the mission of transforming workforce development programs, workforce professionals and economic growth.

The dedication of Midwest Urban Strategies to fostering foundational partnerships in career training education and employment opportunities through these online Learning Labs. If you see an invite to one, I highly encourage you don’t miss out!  I love the Learning Labs and the workforce professionals that I meet from across the country at these sessions, I always learn something new!"
Headshot of Melanie Martin, Regional Workforce Development Manager

Melanie Martin

Regional Workforce Development Manager

Apply for Membership

Is your organization ready to join us in creating a more skilled, inclusive, and prosperous workforce?