Noting that 182,000 of Wisconsin's children are living below the poverty line, this report documents factors affecting the working poor of Wisconsin, combining labor market and wage data with profiles of families and their children from communities throughout the state. The report documents the surge in poverty-wage jobs in Wisconsin over the past 20 years and its impact on workers and their families. The report concludes with policy recommendations to improve Wisconsin's existing system of work supports and tax credits to more effectively assist working poor families. The policy recommendations are designed to build systems that make work pay and support working families. Included throughout the report's policy section are "best practices," innovative program ideas that demonstrate concrete, feasible options for the state. (EV)