Milwaukee, WI – August 28, 2025, Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), a consortium of Midwest workforce development boards that manage the public workforce systems, is proud to announce the launch of Pathway Home 6 (MUS-PH6), a $4 million Department of Labor-funded initiative designed to support 400 individuals currently incarcerated in the Bloomington and Gary regions in Indiana, the Kansas City, Missouri region, and the Canton, Ohio region as they prepare to return to their communities. Implemented locally by four MUS member boards: Center of Workforce Innovations (IN), Full Employment Council (MO), Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board (OH), and South-Central Region 8 Workforce Development Board (IN).
“This initiative allows us to meet returning citizens where they are, remove barriers, and connect them to the skills, resources, and careers that lead to lasting stability and success in our communities,” said Clyde McQueen, President and CEO of the Full Employment Council/Kansas City and Vicinity Workforce Development Board in Kansas City, MO. McQueen also serves as chairman of the board of Midwest Urban Strategies.
Through a regional network of correctional institutions, workforce development boards, and community partners, Midwest Urban Strategies' Pathway Home 6 Initiative provides a coordinated pathway from incarceration to employment. Beginning 30 to 270 days pre-release and continuing for at least 12 months post-release, participants engage in evidence-based, trauma-informed services that prepare them for the workforce.
Many of these individuals are returning from incarceration without a reliable work history. The communities engaged in this project have local employers scrambling to find the talent they need. Many of them signed on to this project, committed to hiring these individuals when they return.
“Pathway Home 6 presents an opportunity to prepare a workforce that is currently sidelined for the real hiring needs our employer partners have today and tomorrow. This grant from the Department of Labor will invest in the skills and experiences necessary to grow the local economy,” said Tracey Carey, Executive Director of Midwest Urban Strategies.
MUS serves as the fiscal intermediary to the member Workforce Development Boards for this initiative, providing technical support and programming. By investing in people returning from incarceration, the program strengthens both public safety and economic mobility throughout the Midwest.
For more information about Pathway Home 6 initiative, contact Melanie Martin at melanie@midwesturbanstrategies.com or 734-765-3637.
About Midwest Urban Strategies:
Midwest Urban Strategies, Inc. (MUS) is a leading workforce intermediary that convenes urban workforce development boards to drive economic opportunity and social mobility. MUS collaborates with workforce boards, government agencies, employers, and community organizations to develop innovative workforce solutions that address labor market needs while supporting underserved populations.
This workforce program is funded by a ($4,000,000percent grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). One hundred percentage of the total cost of the program is financed with Federal money. No other cost is being financed by non‐governmental sources.
