About the Committee

The Multiple Barriers Committee is one of the core pillars of the Greater Peoria Regional Workforce Alliance. This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals who face multiple barriers to long-term employment success and education success–such as lack of transportation, housing instability, legal challenges, or limited education–can access meaningful pathways to family-sustaining careers.

The committee aims to establish cross-sector pathways that are responsive to individuals’ unique and often complex needs. Rooted in the belief that inclusive workforce systems drive stronger regional economies, the Committee brings together cross-sector partners–including employers, educators, community-based organizations, and government agencies.

The Multiple Barriers Committee is a cornerstone of Greater Peoria's inclusive workforce development strategy. It represents a collaborative, data-informed effort to transform lives through opportunity—by engaging social services, education, employers, and government to uplift those often left out of traditional workforce pipelines.

What We Keep An Eye On

Structural and systemic barriers to employment and career advancement
Gaps in transportation, childcare, digital access, and wraparound supports
Equity in access to training, education, and employment services
Second-chance hiring policies and practices
Reentry pathways for justice-involved individuals
Coordination among social services, employers, and training providers
Outcomes and data tracking for barrier-reducing interventions
Supportive Services for Individuals With Disabilities
Employer Education on Hiring Neurodivergent Individuals

The committee tracks progress in three tiers:

Group A: Participants secure basic income or benefits
Group B: Participants obtain entry-level jobs with career coaching
Group C: Participants move into career pathways in trades, healthcare, IT, solar, and manufacturing with measurable retention and wage benchmarks.

Current Initiatives

Barrier Mapping Project

A regional initiative to identify, visualize, and address where employment barriers intersect with geographic, demographic, and industry data.

Transportation Solutions Pilot

Working with local transit providers and employers to pilot micro-transit and ride-share solutions that support shift workers in hard-to-reach areas.

Employer Toolkit for Inclusive Hiring

Creating a practical, user-friendly toolkit that guides employers in implementing fair chance hiring, DEI strategies, and supports for nontraditional applicants.

Reentry Project

A sub-initiative that focuses on building talent pipelines for individuals returning from incarceration, including training, mentorship, and employer engagement.

Notable Partners