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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 what 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.
A number of activities are available to PROMISE JOBS participants, including:
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Workplace Essentials –
These workshops cover Assessment and Learning Styles, Emotional
Smarts, Informed Thinking, Communication, and Culture of Work -
Balancing Work and Family. This class is available in Spencer.
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Job Seeking and Skills Training/Iowa
Advantage Workshops – Workshops that cover proper interviewing techniques,
résumés, how to fill out a job application, and other work search information. This class is available in Spencer.
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Job Search – Skills for
finding employment.
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On-the-Job Training – Full
time, paid employment for persons lacking work skills, with out-of-date skills, or demonstrated problems finding employment.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.
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Post-Secondary Classroom Training – Includes assistance with academic and vocational training, which 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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Parenting Skills –
Training that helps participants become a better parent.
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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.
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Entrepreneurial Training – Training for participants interested in self-employment.
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all centers provide 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 Office in Algona at (515) 295-7219, the
Governmental Services Center in Spencer at
(712) 262-1971, or Northwest Iowa Planning & Development in Sheldon at
(712) 324-5121, or your county Department of Human Services office.
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