Resources for Parents & Families

Photo of parent with her two childrenWorkFirst is Washington State's welfare reform program designed to help financially struggling families get a job, get a better job so they can have better life. WorkFirst is a temporary program to help families quickly stabilize their lives so they can go to work.

To find out whether WorkFirst is right for you, contact your local Community Services Office or use the online Community Service Locator. To apply for WorkFirst, you can visit your local Community Services Office or apply online today.

Link here to learn about specific Work Readiness resources available to help you find a job!

What is required of WorkFirst parents? Parents who can work will work, parents who can not work will be supported and parents who refuse to work, will be held accountable. Parents must work, look for work or prepare for work in the WorkFirst program. Each WorkFirst parent has an individualized plan outlining their responsibilities and what supports will be provided to help them prepare for work and be successful. If a parent is able but refuses to participate in their required WorkFirst activities, they risk sanction and could have their grant reduced by 40% or the person’s share, whichever is greater. If they continue in sanction for six consecutive months, they can be terminated from WorkFirst. To reinstate their full grant, they must perform the required WorkFirst activities for four consecutive weeks.

What activities are available to help WorkFirst parents prepare for work? Parents receive a Comprehensive Evaluation (CE) to quickly assess their strengths, abilities, interests and aptitudes along with their previous work experience to identify the most appropriate activities to engage in. Recommendations on what activities would best help the parent participate and become employed are developed by the partners and sent to the case manager. Once the case manager receives the recommendations, they sit down with the parent to develop their individual responsibility plan (IRP). The IRP outlines what activities or combination of activities they will be required to participate in to receive their cash grant. The goal is to create a plan for the parent that will quickly engage them in full-time activities and move them into employment and self-sufficiency.

Activities may include:

  • Employment Services (including Job Search, Work Experience, and On-the-Job training [OJT])
  • CTED Community Works Programs (Community Jobs, Career Jump, Community Works, Community WEX and Community Service) — To find out what local community based organizations provide these services, view list
  • Education and Training (including Vocational Training, IBEST, HWHD, CJST, Basic Skills, GED preparation, ESL, and family literacy) — To learn more about education and training opportunities available, view the college contact list
  • Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pathway Services (including Community Service and WEX)

What support services are available to parents while on WorkFirst? Parents can receive help paying for child care, transportation, work clothing or uniforms and other approved services to help them be successful in the job market. In addition, they qualify for food assistance, medical, child support, and/or emergency assistance.

What help is available for parents who are working and still on WorkFirst? If a parent is working 20 or more hours per week they may qualify for the following services:

  • Continued help with costs of childcare, transportation and other supports to help them keep their job
  • Free tuition assistance at their local community or technical college to pay for vocational training to help with wage progression, job advancement or build skills towards a new career
  • Counseling on how to adjust to a new job and succeed in work
  • Support finding a better job

What post-employment services are available to families once a parent becomes employed and leaves WorkFirst? If a parent is working and is no longer on WorkFirst, they may qualify for these additional supports:

  • Child Support
  • Continued help with the costs of childcare
  • Counseling on how to keep their job or find a better job
  • If working 20 or more hours per week, free tuition assistance at a local community or technical college to pay for vocational training to help with wage progression, job advancement or build skills towards a new career
  • If working 30 or more hours per week, up to six months of additional cash benefits

General Resources for WorkFirst and Low-Income Families