• 441 families voluntarily participate in the program, primarily composed of single female heads of household with one or two children;
• An escrow savings account is based on increases in earned income;
• Each participant is required to sign a Contract of Participation as a commitment to the goal of economic independence;
• Each participating family is assigned to a case manager who provides guidance in career planning and assistance in the resolution of personal and family issues and other resources;
• Financial assistance, often transportation assistance, child care and tuition/book costs, is provided for participants to gain education or additional training, and to obtain/maintain employment.

• FSS's successful participants are all now free from welfare cash assistance and employed at a livable wage;
• A total of 427 FSS families have successfully graduated and completed their career goals, 101 of whom (24%) have purchased homes;
• 1/4 of the FSS families who have purchased homes advanced from welfare assistance to home ownership within 5 years;
• 1/3 of all FSS graduates advanced from unemployment/welfare assistance to self-sufficiency;
• Average earned income of FSS graduates increased from $9,180 to $27,130 annually- nearly 200% average increase in earnings (now earning an average of $13 per hour); 80% took college, job skills or technical training while enrolled in FSS; 30% completed college, technical training, or GED (high school equivalency) while in FSS;
• Of the currently enrolled FSS families, 85% are employed, 38% of whom were welfare or unemployed families.

• HOC's FSS Program began in February 1993
• Mandated slots: 1,468; 441 due to a waiver (366 HCV + 75 Public Housing)
• Case managers (50 FSS families each) provide individualized services: Assessment, short- and long-term goal planning, career development, work on budgeting, problem-solving skills and personal and family barriers to success (depression, low self-esteem, poor job skills, alcohol/drug or abuse history, lack of hope), job retention, livable wage jobs with benefits
• 40 to 50 volunteer case managers (mentors), including several FSS graduates, are trained and supervised by FSS staff and work 1-on-1 with FSS families
• Other case management: Our HOC staff, non-profit housing programs and the local Department of Health & Human Services
• Participants report that the caring and supportive case management is the most helpful feature of the FSS Program
• Client support funds are available for child care, tuition/books, transportation
• HOC's Employment Initiative Program (EIP) offers weekly employment support groups that address motivation, job punctuality, reliability, coping in the workplace, self-esteem, job skills, resume development, interview techniques, dressing for success (about 150 participants/year)
• HOC's EIP has job developers who find volunteer work placements for those needing more skills, or they help find paid employment for those job-ready
• HOC's EIP offers free day and evening classes in GED, English language, writing, business communication skills (oral and written), Internet, basic, intermediate and advanced computer skills and sewing classes at HOC's Public Housing Family Resource Centers, libraries, public schools, government centers, community college and businesses. The teachers are volunteers.
• Partnerships with the public and private sectors: Businesses (for EIP's training rooms, volunteer work, jobs; discounted Weight Watchers and driving schools; link with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area), non-profits, county agencies, schools, colleges. Donations solicited for professional clothing, used computers and printers, software, sewing machines, training manuals.
• Volunteer tutors work 1-on-1 at all levels of study
• 100 volunteers: Recruitment by semi-annual library postings, media Public Service Announcements, listing at Montgomery County's Volunteer Bureau, speaking engagements to service and civic organizations
• College work-study students provide administrative and special project assistance
• High school students earn "community service" hours for special events, etc.
• Family Fun Days: One Saturday each month (free trips and transportation to museums, beaches, parks, etc., as an opportunity to socialize and get more out of life)
• Advocacy for our low-income residents with local, state and federal representatives; our FSS participants speak out publicly to broaden the public's understanding.
• The Collaboration Council, a broad-based body assisting in the implementation of supportive services to FSS families, serves as the Coordinating Committee for FSS.

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COUNTY SERVICE LOCATIONS

The main office of HOC (Housing Opportunities Commission) is at 10400 Detrick Avenue Kensington, MD Along Connecticut Avenue, Ride-On buses are the 5 & 6; Metrobuses are the L7 & L8.