Welfare Reform

Contact:  Stacey Goans, Welfare Reform Coordinator
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed 12:00 - 1:00

Welfare Reform is the umbrella for programs such as Jobs, Education, and Training (JET).  JET is a Michigan Works!  employment and training program for those receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) through the Department of Human Services.  The purpose of JET is to provide orientation, assessment, career counseling, supportive services, job search skills, and career skill training to customers referred by the Department of Human Services to the JET Program.  The goal for each JET customer and two-parent family is to establish and maintain a connection to the labor market.  Upward mobility is encouraged by participating in education and training programs.

Customers referred to the JET Program must attend a general orientation.   During orientation, they are informed of available program activities, program expectations, and customer supportive services.  The customer then meets individually with a JET staff member to develop an Individual Service Strategy (ISS).  At this time, work history, education level, barriers to employment and career goals are identified, and a plan of action developed.

Following orientation, customers attend a one-week series of comprehensive job skills workshops called Job Readiness.  During this week, education and career assessment are conducted and the job market outlook is discussed.  Also, counseling, resume preparation, and interview skills are offered to customers.  Occasional special workshops are offered on topics such as motivation, professional appearance, self-esteem, legal issues, budgeting, domestic violence, etc.

At the conclusion of Job Readiness, customers explore possible training opportunities or begin their job search activities through Job Club activities.   Equipped by professional quality resumes, job leads, interview techniques, and appropriate interview clothing, JET customers register on the Michigan Talent Bank, utilize the phones and computers in the JET office, consult newspaper classifieds, and “pound the pavement” in search of a job.  Customers return daily for consultation with JET staff and other resources available in the office.

When a JET customer has secured employment, he/she completes a placement form, which documents the job to JET and the Department of Human Services.  JET staff conducts monthly employment retention follow-ups and continued contacts are made through cash assistance case closure. 

The JET staffalso administers three other Welfare Reform programs.  The first is the Non-Custodial Parent Program, which mirrors JET and is in partnership with the Friend of the Court, by giving employment and training assistance to non-custodial parents who are seriously delinquent in child support payments.  The second program is the Non-Cash Recipient Program.  Customers receiving non-cash benefits including Medicaid, Food Assistance, and Child Daycare are referred by the Department of Human Services to this program. The desired program outcome, through the provision of services, is to assist these customers in finding employment that alleviates the need for said benefits.  The final program is the Food Assistance Employment and Training Program.  This program provides job search assistance, job placement, and training opportunities for able-bodied adults, ages 18 to 49, without dependents that are receiving Food Assistance.