PROMISE JOBS
PROMISE JOBS, or “Promoting Independence and Self Sufficiency through Employment,” is Iowa’s welfare reform program designed to assist Family Investment Program
(FIP) recipients to become self sufficient. PROMISE JOBS is a participation requirement for most FIP recipients. Participants develop an individualized “Family Investment Agreement,” or FIA, that outlines steps they will take to leave public assistance. Persons who fail to participate or comply with their FIA are considered to have chosen a Limited Benefit Plan
(LBP), and lose their FIP benefits.
PROMISE JOBS staff are located in the
Cresco, Decorah, Dubuque, Elkader, Manchester, New Hampton, Oelwein, Postville, and Waukon. The PROMISE JOBS staff serve residents of Allamakee, Clayton, Chickasaw, Delaware, Dubuque, Howard,
Fayette and Winneshiek Counties.
A number of activities are available to PROMISE JOBS participants, including:
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Workplace Essentials –
Classes that teach you day-to-day skills and how to deal with
problems in the home and the work place.
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Job Seeking Skills – A workshop that covers proper interviewing techniques,
résumés, how to fill out a job application, and other work search information.
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Job Search – A structured plan to make weekly job contacts.
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Work Experience Program – Unpaid hands-on experience for persons lacking work skills, with out-of-date skills, or demonstrated problems finding employment.
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Monitored Employment – Full- or part-time unsubsidized employment.
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Basic Education – Includes assistance with high school completion,
GED, Adult Basic Education, and English-as-a-Second
Language instruction.
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Post-Secondary Classroom Training – Includes assistance with academic and vocational
training that prepares participants for a specific area of employment. Assistance is dependent on abilities and aptitudes, available funding, and other requirements. There is currently a 24-month funding limit on all approved post-secondary education.
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Family Development Services –
Help overcoming significant family barriers.
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Family Planning Services – An option for everyone referred to PROMISE JOBS. Participants can find out how additional children can affect a family’s finances.
Not everyone participates in all of the items listed above, but certain groups are required to complete certain activities in order to maintain FIP eligibility. Some financial assistance for transportation and childcare is available for PROMISE JOBS
participants depending on the activity. Limited funding for car repairs, work clothing, and other approvable costs is also available to help participants who are job ready or already employed.
For more information on PROMISE JOBS eligibility and participation requirements, contact the Iowa Workforce Development PROMISE JOBS
Dubuque Center at (866) 227-9874 or Decorah Center at (866) 520-8986.
