Welcome to the forums and fist off I wish you and your family the best. You are correct that a farther will do anything to insure his family is taken care off. If you are looking into other states for jobs, here in Texas the Abilene-Midland area the oil fields are booming and they can not find enough people to work. Money is great, however the work is hard and dirty, if you are on a rig. I don't have any links but I am sure you can find something on the internet. I have friends that are making 4-6 thousand a month and other are making more. Also in the oil field experience is not necessary because some companies will train you the way they want you to learn. Also there is a boom in motels dinning facilities and everything that goes with a boom in jobs.
Living in a RV in severe winters is not feasible but we don't get that bad down here, Schools are good and Texas is not that bad of a place to live. Again I want to wish you the best for you and your family...
anything is possible if you willing to make it so.....