PROMISE JOBS – “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.
Applicants develop an individualized Family Investment Agreement (FIA) that outlines what steps they will take to leave public assistance.
Iowa Workforce Development works in partnership with the Department of
Human Services (DHS) to serve FIP recipients. A FIP applicant is
required to meet with PROMISE JOBS to develop an FIA as part of the FIP
application process. After an FIA is written the FIP application is
processed and eligibility determined at DHS. If eligible for FIP,
the person then participates in PROMISE JOBS activities to move toward
self-sufficiency. Persons who fail to participate or comply with the
steps in their FIA lose their FIP benefits.
Service Delivery Area 5 includes
Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Humboldt and Wright
Counties. PROMISE JOBS staff provides services in Fort Dodge,
Webster City, Pocahontas and Storm Lake. Calhoun, Webster
and Humboldt County residents are served by staff in Fort Dodge.
A variety of activities are available to PROMISE JOBS participants, including:
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Lifeskills - A workshop dealing
with responsibility, decision making, anger and stress management,
communication skills, managing time and money, attitude, self-esteem
and motivation.
-
Job Seeking Skills - A workshop
that covers job interviewing technique, job applications and
appropriate dress for job search. A one-week class is followed
by two weeks of job search.
-
Job Search - A structured job search that includes responsibility to report job contacts completed each week.
-
Monitored Employment - Full or part-time employment.
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Basic Education - High school completion, GED, adult basic education and English as a Second Language.
-
Post-Secondary Classroom Training
- College training for an academic or vocational degree.
-
Parenting Skills - Training that helps participants become a better parent.
-
Work Experience - A placement with a non-profit employer on a volunteer basis that offers an opportunity to improve skills, provide a current work history and give back to the community.
A PROMISE JOBS participant follows the steps of their FIA with the guidance of their PROMISE JOBS worker. Their worker schedules them for each activity and monitors their progress.
Special needs are addressed through a program called FaDSS (Family Development for Self-Sufficiency). This program serves as an advocate for a family and helps them set goals and overcome barriers as they work towards these goals. The FaDSS worker assists a family in moving through the steps of their FIA.
Financial assistance for transportation and child care is available for PROMISE JOBS participants as they take part in planned PROMISE JOBS activities. Limited funding is also available for other needs related to employment for participants who are job ready or already employed.
PROMISE JOBS services are limited to FIP recipients. For more information, contact one of the PROMISE JOBS offices at Iowa Workforce Development Centers located at Fort Dodge
(515) 576-7413, Webster City (515) 832-2648 or Storm Lake (712)
732-0031.
