Jobs First Employment Services - Building Independence

Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) helps people gain and maintain independence from federal and state financial assistance by providing the necessary skills and training needed to secure employment by the 21-month expiration of benefits.

Adult and out-of-school minor recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families receive the skills needed to obtain work following completion of intensive, short-term occupational training or education. All participants receive help in preparing and looking for a job, transportation assistance, and help with payment for childcare.

JFES services may include one or more of the following:
Case management
Life skills training
Occupation skills training (through contracted providers)
Support services
Job search skills training

GED preparation
Transportation / Childcare benefits
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Earned Income Tax Credits
On-the-job training
Work experience placement

The 2005/2006 Jobs First Employment Services programs are administered by the following contracted providers:

City of Milford
The City of Milford administers a program to JFES participants. The program includes 240 hours of state-approved certified nurses' aide training.

Mediatek Solutions
The program serves the Hispanic population with home health aide training in conjunction with case management from ASPIRA.

Corraro Center for Careers and TEAM, Inc.
Corraro and TEAM partner to provide occupational skills training in six occupational fields to participants in the Valley.

NEON
This program will provide Stamford and Norwalk JFES participants with occupational tracks that include Microsoft Office, customer service, and administrative skills training.

FSW and Literacy Volunteers of Southeastern Fairfield County
This program provides remediation and a National Retail Federation Certificate to JFES participants.

Jobs First Employment Services is a partnership with the Dept. of Labor, CT Dept. of Social Services, and The WorkPlace, Inc.

For information contact:
Nestor Leon, Manager of Workforce Development
The WorkPlace, Inc.
350 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 610-8556