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Iowa Workforce Development
Region 8
PROMISE JOBS

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PROMISE JOBS  

“Promoting Independence and Self Sufficiency through Employment” is Iowa’s welfare reform program designed to assist families with children who are receiving a monthly Family Investment Program (FIP) cash grant from the state. The Department of Human Services contracts with PROMISE JOBS to provide welfare reform services to mandatory participants to help them become financially self-sufficient. 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. There is now a federal law mandating a sixty-month maximum on receipt of cash grants (effective Jan. 1, 1997). Thus, PROMISE JOBS is concerned with providing assistance services on a timely basis. 

PROMISE JOBS staff are located in the Carroll and Denison Workforce Development Centers. The PROMISE JOBS staff serve residents of Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie and Sac counties.

A number of activities are available to PROMISE JOBS participants, including:

Extended Assessment – A workshop designed to help participants gain confidence, deal with change, set goals, and think positively about their future. An interest inventory and aptitude test are included.

Life Skills – A workshop that covers money management, time management, assertiveness, communication skills, housing information, nutrition, parenting information, etc.

Job Seeking Skills – A workshop that covers proper interviewing techniques, résumés, how to fill out a job application, and other work search information.

Job Search – Skills for finding employment.

Work Experience Program – Unpaid employment for persons lacking work skills, with out-of-date skills, or demonstrated problems finding employment.

Monitored Employment – Full or part-time unsubsidized employment. 

Basic Education – Assistance with high school completion, GED, Adult Basic Education, and English-as-a-Second Language.

Post-Secondary Classroom Training – 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.

Parenting Skills – A workshop designed to help participants become a better parent including parenting, child growth and development and effective communication.

Family Development Services – Help to overcome significant family barriers.

Family Planning Services – An option for everyone referred to PROMISE JOBS. Participants can find out how additional children can affect a family’s finances.  

Entrepreneurial Training – Training for participants interested in self-employment.

For more information on PROMISE JOBS eligibility and participation requirements, contact the Carroll Iowa Workforce Development PROMISE JOBS office at (712) 792-9812 or your county Department of Human Services office.
 

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