Assisting Families In Becoming Self-Sufficient
               
I.     TOPIC          The Families In Training Program

II.    LOCATION  Amarillo, Texas

III.   SUBJECT        Assisting Families In Becoming Self-Sufficient

IV.    SUMMARY
     
     Panhandle Community Services (PCS) in rural Texas offers the Families in Training
     (FIT) program in 26 counties in the Texas panhandle area. The FIT program provides
     rental assistance, case management and other services to low-income persons who are
     pursuing post-secondary education. The program provides financial assistance, emotional
     support and information to assist families in healing the scars of broken homes, poverty,
     and in many cases, abuse. 
     
     Applicants for the FIT program must be eligible for rental assistance, be a parent of a
     dependent child, and be attending or preparing to attend college or post secondary
     vocational education. The program targets female, single heads of households who
     represent 90% of the program participants. Seventy percent of the participants are AFDC
     recipients.
     
     Upon eligibility determination, each applicant must go through an intensive assessment
     process to be accepted into the program. This process includes completing an extensive
     application before being interviewed by a "Community Task Force." This task force is
     comprised of community leaders and representatives from resource agencies, and is
     responsible for determining admission to the Families in Training program.
     
     Participants receive individual career counseling, personal development seminars, support
     from other Panhandle Community resources such as energy and transportation assistance,
     emergency food, information and referral, and rental assistance until their training is
     completed. In return, participants must maintain grade point averages of "B" or better and
     participate in the case management provided by FIT. Participants may remain in the
     program for two years, or until their education is completed if all program requirements
     are met.
     
V.     SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE

     Recognizing that education is the key to successful employment, Panhandle Community
     Services created a program of financial assistance and emotional support and information
     to assist low-income female heads of households complete post-secondary or vocational
     education.
     VI.    CONTACT

     Johnny Raymond, Executive Director
     Phylis Cook, FIT Coordinator 
     Panhandle Community Services
     (A Community Action Agency)
     P.O. Box 32150
     Amarillo, Texas 79120
     806-372-2531
     806-373-8143 (FAX)
     
VII.   CASE STUDY

     The Problem: The key to successful employment is education. However, for low-income single women heads of households it is difficult to manage the roles of parent,
     caretaker, wage earner and student. In addition, many of those in such households must
     also struggle to overcome the burdens of broken homes, poverty and abuse.
     
     The Approach Adopted: Panhandle Community Services (PCS) in rural Texas offers
     the Families in Training (FIT) program in 26 counties in the Texas panhandle area.
     Applicants for the FIT program must be eligible for rental assistance, be a parent of a
     dependent child, and be attending or preparing to attend college or post secondary
     vocational education. The program targets female, single heads of households who
     represent 90% of the program participants. Seventy percent of the participants are AFDC
     recipients.
     
     Participants receive individual career counseling, personal development seminars, support
     from other Panhandle Community resources such as energy and transportation assistance,
     emergency food, information and referral, and rental assistance until their training is
     completed. In return, participants must maintain grade point averages of "B" or better and
     participate in the case management provided by FIT. Participants may remain in the
     program for two years, or until their education is completed if all program requirements
     are met.
     
     How They Implemented The Approach: The FIT program is supported by a
     number of sources. The housing component is supported by funds from the Department
     of Housing and Urban Development. The other components are supported by a variety of
     sources including the Community Services Block Grant and private donations. Currently,
     PCS is working with two universities, four community colleges, and one vocational
     school in the educational programs of FIT participants.
     
     Results: Operating since 1990, over 300 families have participated with a completion
     rate of more than 85%. The average wage for those who have graduated from the program
     is $9.00 per hour. Graduates have entered a range of occupations, including occupational
     and physical therapy, dental hygiene, court reporting, criminal justice, education, and
     computer/information systems management.
     
VIII.  KEY WORDS
     
     Aid to Families with Dependent Children
     Community Action Agency
     Post-Secondary Education
     Single Parent Households
     Vocational Education
     Welfare To Work
     




ref:   fit.doc