Displaced Homemaker Program Minnesota
Program helps displaced homemakers realize skills. In southeastern Minnesota, a new transitional program has been. The Displaced Homemaker program is.
In southeastern Minnesota, a new transitional program has been launched to help such women re-enter the work force. Patterned after similar successful programs in the state, the Displaced Homemaker program is sponsored by Rochester Community College and headed by Maureen Hart. She began her director duties last week. Hart, who is divorced, went back to work in 1981 and has worked as a manager and supervisor at Rochester Methodist Hospital. For the past two years she has been on educational leave and recently finished a degree in industrial relations at the University of Minnesota.
Her administrative internship was at Rochester Technical College. She's also a registered nurse. There is no charge for the program, and some child care and transportation costs incurred in attending the program may be reimbursed. An increasing number of divorces in the region indicates a growing need for services to displaced homemakers. Estimates for the southeastern Minnesota region are 8,000 divorced, 1,500 separated and nearly 27,000 widowed women live here.
During her internship Hart administered two grants dealt with this targeted popular at RTC. She said she's really excited about the opportunities the program offers. ``It's needed,' Hart said. ``Programs are up and running similar to this in various areas of the state and they are very successful and doing a good job of serving the needs of these people.'
' The regional program will serve the 11 counties in southeastern Minnesota with five sites managed out of the main office at RCC. Offices at Winona, Faribault, Austin and Preston are planned.
A recent $170,000 grant from the State Jobs Training Office will fund the program for 18 months, said Arlouene Olson, who helped develop the program plan for RCC. Olson said it is no longer unusual for older people to return to school. For example, more than half the students at RCC are over 25, she said.
``So nobody has to worry about being the only 40-year-old around.' The first order of business will be to recruit women who meet the guidelines and feel the need for the program.
Divorced, widowed or separated women, those whose husbands have become disabled, and those working their way off welfare programs are eligible if they meet state-set income guidelines. The person must have been a homemaker for two years. Men who meet that criterion also are eligible, Olson said. Clients will receive help with career planning, including a battery of tests to determine interests and skills. Skills acquired through homemaking, child care and volunteer work will be identified and related to potential paying jobs. The women will learn to set career goals and plan the steps necessary to achieve them.
``The goal of this first section is to start feeling like an OK person with recognizable skills,' said Olson. Workshops and group sessions will address personal areas like self-image, dealing with anger and stress, assertiveness and health issues. Clients will learn about services available through other regional agencies. In preparation for job-hunting, clients will write an acceptable resume and practice interviewing techniques, including salary negotiation. The third part of the training focuses on education.
The program reviews educational opportunities and the financing available. Career contacts in internships or on-the-job training are set up, where appropriate. Continuing support groups allow newcomers to mingle with those further along in the program to receive encouragement and help. Graduates of the program who have become established in a job or career go on to act as mentors to those following.
Susan LeGare-Gulden graduated from a similar displaced homemaker program in Mankato after earning her degree in health science. Now working in Rochester in the food and beverage program at Olmsted County Health Department, LeGare-Gulden is still contacted by the program to help new graduates locate jobs and serve as a successful role model. ``After I graduated from Mankato State University, I had gone to the career placement office at the school.
They pointed to a book and said, `Here is a listing of job opportunities.' It was pretty much the same thing at Job Services,' LeGare-Gulden said.
The displaced homemaker program helped her create a polished resume and develop needed skills.
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Homemakers Returning to Work For women and men who have spent much or all of their work life caring for family and home, returning to the workplace or entering it for the first time can be a difficult transition. That's especially true if the necessity to return to work is brought on by the loss of the family's primary financial support through some unexpected or urgent circumstances. Through our Displaced Homemaker Program, we help people who have worked mainly in the home develop the marketable skills you'll need to find and maintain a job.
Overview Our goal is to help you learn the skills necessary for finding a job that can support you and your family within a year of starting our program. Here's how we help:. We assess your situation and coordinate any necessary intervention by other government agencies. We can help you address issues ranging from non-payment of child support to dealing with violent partners. Peer counseling is available. We work to assist you in pursuing a GED, diploma, certificate or degree that will help you find employment and develop a career. Into this mix we offer life skills courses.
Prior to looking for a job we can prepare and counsel you. We assist with letters and resumes. Sometimes we can pay for day care during interviews or workshops, clothing and some transportation costs. Eligibility Requirements You must have provided unpaid household services for at least two years, have lost your primary source of income, and now find that you must support yourself and your family.
This can be from any number of personal factors: A separation, a divorce, desertion, a death or a disability of a spouse or partner. If you lose public assistance benefits, you can also qualify for our program. You have to meet income guidelines based on a federal formula. Staff at one of our Workforce Centers or six Displaced Homemaker sites can help you understand those guidelines. If you do not qualify for free services you can still use our program through sliding fee payments. Services for displaced homemakers are available in more than 51 or Minnesota's 87 counties.
To see if you're eligible and to apply for services contact one of our designated services providers. Find a Service Provider The Displaced Homemaker Program offers services in more than 51 counties statewide. For more information about services available in your area, select from service providers listed below. In the Twin Cities contact to find out about our services. Located on the campus of the Rochester Community and Technical College, handles the program in southeast Minnesota. Has three centers in Mankato, Fairmont and New Ulm.
Contact
Manages the program in northwest Minnesota through the Arrowhead Employment Opportunity Agency, Inc. Provides our services in Duluth. Brainerd-based offers our services in central Minnesota. The offers our services through its Rebuilding Lives program. Other Homemaker Services Homemakers are also eligible to receive the same services that we offer to people who have been laid off from their jobs, known as the Dislocated Worker Program.
Although there is overlap between the two programs, the Dislocated Worker Program does offer some unique services, including occupational skills training, on-the-job training, entrepreneurial training, adult education and literacy, job readiness training, and customized training. Depending on the circumstances, funding may be available to cover the cost of tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses. Training can be up to two years. In limited cases, financial assistance for transportation, child care, health care, housing or rental assistance may be available. Ask about the Dislocated Worker Program at your local. See the policy about in the Dislocated Worker Program and Displaced Homemakers Program.
Displaced Homemaker Program Arkansas
For More Information Taryn Galehdari Phone: 651-259-7540.