Kings County Human Services Agency

The Human Services Agency’s Employment and Training Services (ETS) Division was established to emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, employment and self-sufficiency for adults receiving assistance under the CalWORKs program. Formerly known as Welfare to Work (WTW), the program underwent extensive revisions in 2007 to allow more individualized services for participants.

CalWORKs requires a reinforced focus in employment services as a first offering to applicants for cash assistance. This focus is further stressed by legislation limiting time on aid to a maximum of 60 months. All persons receiving cash aid are assessed for their work history, aptitudes, preparedness, barriers and need for Supportive Services, such as child care, assistance with transportation, and mileage reimbursement. Screening for possible learning disabilities is conducted and referral to appropriate services made, when indicated.

Participants in the ETS program may be referred for educational services, training, referral for employment, mental health, substance abuse treatment and supportive services. The plan for each participant is individualized based on the assessment results, local labor market needs and available services. Referrals to local intervention services are also available for victims of domestic violence and their families.
Employment services include Employment Essentials (applications and resume writing), Job Readiness (interviewing skills, dressing for success), Job Retention, and Supervised Job Search. The program also includes "Pathways to Success" workshops, which are designed to educate participants on community resources and provide information in basic life skills that prove to be barriers to self-sufficiency. The workshops include modules for decision making, personal health, legal issues, nutrition, stress management, self-esteem, mental health/domestic violence services, substance abuse, financial planning and housing assistance.

As participants become employed and ineligible for cash benefits, the agency may provide continuing Supportive Services, including ancillary and transportation services, for up to one year so that the participant can retain his/her job. Child care is often available beyond one year for those participants who continue to meet income requirements.

A full range of ETS services are offered in the Main Office in Hanford and at field offices located in Corcoran and Avenal

Welfare to Work (WTW) Services

The Human Services Agency’s Welfare To Work (WTW) Division was established to emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, employment and self-sufficiency for adults receiving assistance under the CalWORKs program.

CalWORKs requires a reinforced focus in employment services as a first offering to applicants for cash assistance. This focus is further stressed by legislation limiting time on aid to a maximum of 60 months. As a means to encourage employment, and divert families from aid and into employment, all able-bodied adults applying for cash aid must first become engaged in a work activity, usually the program’s Job Search workshop and become involved in job search.

All persons receiving cash aid are assessed for their work history, aptitudes, preparedness, barriers and need for supportive services. Screening for possible learning disabilities is conducted and referral to appropriate services made, when indicated.

Participants in the WTW program may be referred for educational services, training, referral for employment, job services (job search and job club), mental health, substance abuse treatment and supportive services. The plan for each participant is individualized based on the assessment results, local labor market needs and available services. Referrals to local intervention services are also available for victims of domestic violence and their families.

Beginning on October 1, 2004, the program will also include an intensive Life Skills activity which is designed to educate participants on community resources and provide information in basic life skills that prove to be barriers to self-sufficiency. The activity will include modules for decision making, personal health, legal issues, nutrition, stress management, self-esteem, mental health/domestic violence services, substance abuse, financial planning and housing assistance."

Once persons become employed and becomes ineligible for cash benefits, the agency may provide continuing supportive services, including child care, ancillary and transportation services, for up to one year so that the participant can retain their job.

A full range of WTW services are offered in the Main Office in Hanford and at field offices located in Corcoran and Avenal.