Family Self Sufficiency Program Overview
Family Self Sufficiency Program Overview Would you like to increase your job skills or earning potential, and become more financially independent? Are you concerned about meeting your rental payments after five years of housing assistance? Family SelfSufficiency (FSS) program staff can help you develop a plan to achieve self-sufficiency. We work with you to help you create goals and accomplish them (Individual Training and Service Plan-ITSP). We provide support by identifying resources that allow you to overcome challenges and invest in yourself. We provide short- and long-term financial incentives to eligible families. Please contact FSS staff to learn how we can help you. Families living in Anchorage, Bethel, Fairbanks, Homer, Kodiak, Mat-Su, Nome, Soldotna, Valdez: 907-3306180, 1-877-AKGOALS (1-877-2546257) Families living in Southeast Alaska (Cordova, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Wrangell): 907-5862937 or toll free 1-855-586-2937 The FSS Program offers the following incentives to enrolled families. Contact your housing office or one of the numbers above for information on how to enroll in the FSS Program. Work Rewards Initial Employment: To receive this onetime $250 reward, the family must obtain and maintain employment averaging at least 30 hours a week for three (3) consecutive months. Sustained Employment: To receive this one-time $250 reward, the family must maintain employment averaging a minimum of 30 hours a week for nine months in a one year period. Education Incentives and Rewards Tuition Assistance: AHFC will provide tuition assistance of up to $1,000 for each family. Tuition assistance must be utilized for a course/training program that will support employment opportunities or career advancement of the family. Courses needed to obtain your GED are eligible for tuition assistance. Courses must help the family work toward an identified goal in their ITSP. Education Reward: Families providing verification of the completion of courses or training programs that support employment opportunities or career advancement as identified in their ITSP may earn up to $500. Long-Term Financial Incentives Once families complete AHFC’s required financial literacy course (explained in a separate brochure), they are eligible to enroll in the Savings Match Program. AHFC will match a family’s savings up to $300 each year for a maximum savings of $1,500. Families will receive the savings match at the end of their AHFC housing assistance and successful completion of the FSS program. Limitation on Incentives and Rewards: Each family may receive a maximum of $3,000 in incentives, rewards, and savings match during the course of their housing assistance. FSS114 02/20/2015 Page 1 of 2 AHFC Resident Scholarship Program: In addition to the incentives provided through the FSS program, AHFC offers scholarships to any adult participant in its rental assistance programs. Scholarships are awarded each fall, as funds are available, through an application and review process. Watch the Resident Newsletter for more information or inquire at your housing office. In addition to the community resources your local office will provide, this list includes statewide resources that may be available to help you meet financial and other challenges. Adequate and affordable childcare: Childcare Referral Service: http://www.threadalaska.org; 800.278.3723 Financial Assistance: Childcare Assistance Program: 888-268-4632 Early Childhood Education: Head Start http://www.akheadstart.org Assistance for a family member with special needs: Assistive Technology of Alaska: http://www.atlaak.org, (800) 723-2852 Aging or Disability Resource Center: 1-877-6AK-ADRC (1-877-625-2372) toll-free. Assistance for families with a special needs child: Best Beginnings: http://www.bestbeginningsalaska.org, (907) 297-3300 Education or training: Vocational Rehabilitation: http://labor.alaska.gov/dvr, (800) 478-2815 ESL, LEP learners - links to 50 websites to assist you: http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/50_essential_resources_for_esl_students/ Study for your GED: http://www.gedforfree.com/references/ged-courses Improve Typing Skills: http://www.typingweb.com Improve Computer Skills: www.gcflearnfree.org Job search: Resumes, cover letters, job openings, interview practice: ALEXsys: https://alexsys.labor.state.ak.us, (877)724-2539 Income/Asset Building and Financial Literacy: http://moneysmart.drc.com/login/login.php or see other resources that are available on http://rentreform.ahfc.us Other supportive services: Mental health resources in Alaska: http://lam.alaska.gov/mental_health_resources Substance abuse intervention and treatment: http://www.samhsa.gov/, suicide prevention (800) 273-TALK (8255); Treatment Locator (800) 662-HELP(4357) Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/, (907)272-2312 Domestic Violence: http://www.alaskawomensnetwork.org/domestic_violence.html, (800) 656-HOPE (4673) FSS114 Page 2 of 2 02/17/2015
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