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About Family Self-Sufficiency
Family Self-Sufficiency of Boulder County (FSS) was created in 1984 as part of a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pilot program that offered eligible low-income families the opportunity to receive a wide array of coordinated services designed to help them attain economic independence. Since 1988, Boulder’s FSS program has been fully funded and organized locally. The FSS program helps participants set training and educational goals that will lead to better-paying jobs. Participants work closely with a FSS case manager to determine an education plan that fits the goals of each family. Families can participate in FSS for five years, during which they are able to access the program’s supportive services on an ongoing basis, receiving assistance with needs such as:
FSS combines publicly funded Section 8 rental assistance, case management, and the coordination of services to help participating households achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Family Self-Sufficiency is open to low-income families and single parents who are interested in pursuing further education in the form of a GED, high school diploma, training certificate or college degree. In most cases, applicants must have section 8 rental assistance or live in subsidized housing. Applicants may currently be enrolled in a school or a job-training program, be receiving welfare, or be employed. FSS participants come from a variety of backgrounds and situations. Some participants are the first in their family to attend college. Others may have recently become single parents and need extra support. Some have experienced other difficult obstacles, such as domestic violence or homelessness. One thing that all FSS participants have in common is that they are ready to make a change, and are determined to move forward to make a better life for themselves and their children.
FSS participants work with a case manager to define their own goals and aspirations, and together they choose school and training programs that fit in with those personal goals. Some examples of degrees and certificates earned by FSS participants include:
Participants attend schools such as St. Vrain Valley Adult Education, Front Range Community College, Metro State College, University of Colorado, and Pima Medical Institute.
FSS helps participants set training and educational goals that will lead to better-paying jobs. Participants may receive assistance with tuition, childcare, housing, transportation, and personal support. FSS case managers help participants access these resources. For example:
Complete the FSS application and mail completed forms to FSS at 2685 A Mapleton Ave., Boulder, CO, 80304. Once the application is received, individual interviews are scheduled to review FSS program information with applicants. During this interview, the FSS case managers provide information about the services offered and the expectations for FSS program participants. Those selected to participate must demonstrate motivation to become self-sufficient, the willingness to work with a case manager, and a need for the services provided by FSS. FSS selects families without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, educational level, or national origin. Participation in the FSS program can last up to five years, depending on the individual needs of each participant.
Sponsored by the Boulder County Housing Authority