Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley has been working intensively with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments’ (BVCOG) Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program to promote family self sufficiency through coordinated case management for the past 10 months. The BVCOG Housing Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program is one of the largest in the nation. The housing staff enter into voluntary contracts with their customers to become self-sufficient within 5 years. This means that the customer will be off of all public assistance at the end of their contract. Both organizations are housed in the same one stop with many other BVCOG programs that are used as needed. Co-locating has made it easier for these coordinated efforts to be successful.
Some of the assistance given to these customers includes a housing sponsored GED class which operates 5 days a week 8 to 5 and evenings to address literacy issues. There are no waiting list for these GED services. For those FSS customers registered on WorkinTexas, special joint housing and workforce case review team meetings are being held to identify and coordinate resolution of any employment barriers. The outcome of these meetings results in a joint comprehensive plan of services for each individual family which is then recommended to the family. Designated workforce career coaches and business services staff work one-on-one to do job development for individuals who need that extra assistance. As available, workforce funding assist with occupational and on-the-job training. And for those who are unemployed support is given through a weekly job club. To improve their financial stability customers in the FSS program contribute to a housing individual development account which receives matching funds. When FSS customers graduate from the program they are off of all public assistance and have savings to purchase a home, attend college, or start a business. Many families have benefitted from this joint effort in the Brazos Valley.
