| Welcome
to the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Program
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MISSION: Improve the lives of families
at risk of long-term welfare dependency or family instability by
creating opportunities for self-sufficiency.
The Family
Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) Grant Program was created
during the 1988 Iowa General Assembly. The General Assembly created
the FaDSS Council within the Department of Human Services to study,
fund, and evaluate programs, which provide development services
to families who are at risk of long-term welfare dependency. FaDSS
is a supportive service to assist Family Investment Program (FIP)
families with significant or multiple barriers reach self-sufficiency.
The Department of Human Services contracts with the Department
of Human Rights, Division of Community Action Agencies to administer
the FaDSS Grant Program. The Department of Human Rights subcontracts
with eighteen grantees statewide to provide FaDSS services.
Referral to
FaDSS is made through the Department of Human Services, PROMISE
JOBS Program, other third-party sources, and self-referrals. Participation
in FaDSS is a voluntary option for people receiving Family Investment
Program (FIP) benefits. FaDSS provides services that promote, empower,
and nurture families towards economic and emotional self-sufficiency.
The foundation of FaDSS is regular home visits
with families, using a strength-based approach. Core services include
support, goal setting, and assessment. Support
is given in many ways such as referrals, group activities, linking
families to communities and advocacy. Assessment
aids the family to identify strengths that they possess that may
be used to eliminate barriers to self-sufficiency. Goal
setting helps families break down goals that seem out of
reach into small steps that will lead to success.
For more information
regarding the FaDSS Program please call 515-281-3861 or email
Tim Fitzpatrick or Lorie
Easter.
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