The Families First Program
Workforce • Social Services • Adult Education
Mission:
To provide ladders of opportunity that help low-income individuals and families break the cycle of poverty and become self-sustaining
Program Description:
The Families First Program takes a comprehensive approach to adult education, job training, placement, and retention by fully supporting the individual struggling with chronic under- or unemployment, lack of education, or issues surrounding the English language barrier. As a part of this unique program, our clients have access to a wide range of vital wraparound services designed to foster a pathway to self-sufficiency and support them on their journey to sustainable employment, including case management, childcare, education, and housing support.
The Families First Program employs a Case Manager and Social Worker who help clients struggling to access basic and immediate needs.
Services
Case Management
- Individual client needs/risk assessments
- Ensure immediate needs are met
- Resources/referrals in cases of domestic violence, homelessness, other crisis situations
- Help applying for public assistance programs (SNAP, HEAP, PIPP, WEP, SSI, etc.)
- Assistance accessing basic/immediate needs (escort trips to furniture bank, food bank, etc.)
- Client advocacy, especially for Spanish-only speaking clients
Workforce Development Services
- Bilingual job-readiness and soft skills training
- Individual career counseling
- Job matching and placement services
- Biweekly job fairs
- Resume-writing and mock interview sessions
- Comprehensive follow-up and retention services
NCLEX Preparation Classes
- 9-week long course for Ohio Nursing Exam (NCLEX) preparation
- Spanish and English assisted preparation classes to women seeking to advance their career in healthcare
Educational Opportunities
- English as a Second Language (ESL) classes – currently hosted through partnership Cuyahoga County Library ASPIRE
- GED Program – the only Spanish-language GED Program in Ohio
Other
- Weekly on-site domestic violence counseling in partnership with the Domestic Violence Center
- On-site immigration and legal services every Wednesday morning
- Translation services