Employment Services/Welfare-to-Work

What is Employment Services/Welfare-to-Work?

The TulareWORKs Employment Services is a program designed to help you improve your way of life.  This program is designed to help you find a job and/or prepare you to search for employment.

 


Where can I apply for Tulare WORKs assistance?

There are several sites throughout Tulare County where you can apply for assistance.

 

Will  TulareWORKs help me find a job?

The TulareWORKs staff wants you to succeed.  Experienced TulareWORKs staff members will work with you and counsel you during your enrollment period.


Do I have to participate?

If you are a cash aid recipient, you have to participate in the TulareWORKs program.  As a participant, you are required to:

  • Keep all appointments scheduled with or by your counselor.
  • Meet all program requirements.
  • Not quit your job or lower your earnings.
  • Make progress in your assigned activity.
     
If I am eligible for cash aid, can I receive benefits and not participate in the TulareWORKs Welfare-toWork Program?

Yes, but you would need to have a good and acceptable reason why you can't participate.


What happens after I apply for cash aid and am determined to be eligible?

The TulareWORKs staff will then take you through a series of activities.  These may include:

  • Orientation/Appraisal - you will be advised of the TulareWORKs services available, how the program works, and our expectations.  This is also an opportunity for you and the TulareWORKs staff to talk about problems that could interfere with your participation.
  • Job Search - if both you and TulareWORKs staff agree that you are ready for a job, you will be assigned to Job Search.  In Job Search the emphasis will be to find a job.
  • Subsidized Employment - Participants that are ready to work, may be placed at an actual employment site.  Our Employment Service Providers will pay your wages.
  • Assessment - after orientation and appraisal, if both you and the TulareWORKs staff think that your are still not ready to get a job, you will go through the assessment process. We will evaluate your interests, skills, and desires, and this will also let the TulareWORKs staff know what types of services you need to become ready to work.
  • Additional Activities - based on your assessment, both you and the TulareWORKs staff will agree on the activities that will get you ready to work.  This will become your Welfare-to-Work Plan.
     
What supportive services are available?

We will do as much as possible to make sure that you can participate in your approved Welfare-to-Work activity by providing you with the necessary supportive services.  Supportive services can include:

  • Child care payments
  • Transportation payments
  • Work or training related costs, and
  • Personal counseling
     
What is a One-Stop Service Center?

One-Stop Career/Service Centers makes it easier for you to receive services.  A One-Stop Service Center has many employment service agencies in one location.  Presently we have One-Stop Centers located in:

  • Dinuba (559) 406-1001
  • Porterville (559)788-1400
  • Visalia (559)713-5000
  • Tulare (559)684-1987

How does the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) benefit an employer?

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a program that allows the employer who hires you to claim federal tax credits.
 

What happens next?

The goal of the TulareWORKs program is to help you get a job.  If for some reason you did not get a job, and you still have CalWORKs time available, you can agree to participate in a work experience or subsidized employment program.
 

What happens after I have found a job?

You can still be eligible for child care, transportation, counseling, and other services but you have to let us know.
 

What if I'm a teen-parent receiving cash assistance and haven't graduated from high school?  What do I do?

To enable you to graduate from high school or earn a high school equivalency certificate, the Cal-Learn Program has been developed.  This program is structured with case management services for pregnant and/or parenting teens that are under the age of 19, receiving assistance, and have not graduated from high school.