Francis Tuttle's TOP program helps welfare recipients to reenter the workforce and is funded by the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and various state initiatives "to get welfare recipients trained and employed."
As a TOP student, you are permitted to receive up to 12 months of career training while receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds and are required to attend 30 hours of training per week.
The TOP program pays for
- tuition
- books
- supplies
- uniforms
- tools
- dues and fees
- testing
Services Provided
- Career and interest assessment
- Basic education (Math, Language, Reading)
- Employability skills (résumés, cover letters, interviewing)
- Life skills training (parenting, budget/finance, people skills)
- Conflicts resolution training
- Vocational skills training
Eligibility Requirements
- Welfare recipient (TANF)
- Referred by Department of Human Services case worker
- 18 years or older
- Complete Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and CAPS, COPE and COPS aptitude, interest and other assessments administered by either DHS or Francis Tuttle
Average wages for students completing and/or working in jobs related to training
$7.00 - $11.00/hour ($8.91/hour average)
Average wages for students not completing and/or working in jobs not related to training
$7.00/hour