The numbers of women with low literacy levels, the increased labor force participation of women, and increasing literacy requirements on the job make the case for the inclusion of a literacy component in employment programs for women. Such programs should strive to be comprehensive, learner-centered, flexible, standards-based, and linked to activities that advocate public policy issues that shape literacy services. Wider Opportunities for Women, an organization that seeks to expand employment opportunities for women, developed a program model based on case studies of five literacy programs that focus on the needs of low-income single mothers. The model, which can be used with other women, attacks the many internal barriers (such as low self-esteem, self-doubt about ability to learn, and guilt about taking time from their families for self-improvement) and external barriers (such as housing problems, financial and health difficulties, and the need for child care and transportation) faced by women in need of both literacy and job training. The five steps to the model (assessing, shaping the program, getting started, delivering services, measuring impact, and advocating public policy changes) are influenced by research showing that the comprehensive needs of the woman and her family must be addressed in order to have success in both literacy and employment readiness--because the women usually cannot focus on literacy as an isolated goal. (The document includes five references.) (CML)