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Description
and Mission of the Program
Work
First is Washington's welfare-to-work strategy. It is based on
the belief that everyone has abilities needed in today's workforce,
and that those who can work, should work. Washington initiated
the Work First program in August 1997 to help low-income families
become self-sufficient by providing training and support services
necessary for parents to get a job, keep a job and move up the
career ladder.
Under
Work First, welfare assistance in Washington is no longer an
entitlement. Cash assistance is limited to a maximum of
60 months (five years) in a person's lifetime. During that
time, the person must be involved in the Work First program and
working or actively looking for a job. However, benefits may
be extended beyond five years for parents who continue to abide by
the rules and seek work. Adults who are unable to participate,
due to their own or a dependent child's medical, emotional or
psychological needs, will continue to receive assistance after an
evaluation by a public health nurse. The primary purpose of
the public health nurse's evaluation is to document the impact of
the parent's or child's special needs on the ability of the parent
to participate in Work First activities.
DSHS,
in partnership with the Cowlitz County Health Department, will
support families in their efforts to attain self-sufficiency by:
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Avoiding
Work First sanctions by exploring various activities or
community services that will support family participation.
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Ensuring
coordination of appropriate childcare resources to support
parent participation in Work First activities.
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Ensuring
that all participants who have children with special health care
needs have access to a professional nursing evaluation and
follow-up referrals to appropriate health care providers and
community services.
Common
goals of the Work First - Public Health partnership include:
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Reducing
poverty levels by helping families obtain and maintain jobs.
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Sustaining
independence by helping to maintain employment and upgrade job
skills.
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Protecting
children and vulnerable community residents.
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Related
Health Department Web Links
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