A private medical center in Detroit helps Empowerment Zone (EZ) residents prepare for healthcare jobs. A Neighborhood Networks Learning Center in suburban New Orleans operates a business at which clients gain work experience before moving to permanent jobs. An employment program in Cleveland monitors job openings with a network of local employers and then matches EZ residents to those jobs. These are just a few examples of the creative ways in which public housing authorities, community development agencies, and community-based organizations have responded to the challenges and opportunities posed by welfare reform. From Welfare to Work: Using HUD's Programs to Help Families in Transition, recently released from HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research, details 25 programs designed to help public assistance clients comply with the new Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program rules. TANF requires clients to find work within 2 years of receiving assistance and sets a maximum 5-year lifetime limit on eligibility. The programs featured in From Welfare to Work typically collaborate with partner agencies, tap into multiple funding sources, and pursue relationships with employers that need job-ready workers. Some programs offer their clients substantial coaching on soft skills, such as punctuality, reliability, appropriate dress, and effective communication. Others support clients who want to become homeowners. All programs receive funds from the full range of HUD programs and other Federal, State, and local sources. From Welfare to Work: Using HUD's Programs to Help Families in Transition is available from HUD USER for $5. Use the order form.
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