Family Self-Sufficiency
Family of 3

Family Self-Sufficiency

Family Self –Sufficiency is a 5-year academic, employment and savings incentive program designed to help low income families gain education and career skills to move toward self-sufficiency. Through monthly goal-setting meetings, the program provides life-skills guidance and linkages to network service providers.

Participants are expected to make continual progress towards their educational and career goals while meeting the additional program requirements of the FSS program in order to graduate successfully.

While FSS program does not provide funding for employment or supportive services other than monthly goal-setting meetings, it can facilitate collaborative relations with local agencies to access additional resources for its participants.

Interested applicants must reside within Boulder County in order to apply to the Family Self-Sufficiency program.

Those eligible to apply are:

  • Low income households who are motivated to pursue additional education and job training.
  • Willing to meet on a monthly basis, or as needed, with a FSS support specialist to work toward long and short term educational and career goals
  • Committed to improving the family’s financial situation through dedication and hard work
  • Applicants who currently do not have Housing Choice Voucher assistance, or who have a Housing Choice Voucher assistance with Boulder County Housing Authority or Boulder Housing Partners
  • Eligible for housing assistance

Income Limits

This will vary depending on family size. The total household income must be at or below 80% of area median income and family members above the age of 18 years must qualify for housing assistance with Boulder County Housing Authority or Boulder Housing Partners.

Interested parties will need to fill out a FSS application, a Personal Statement and obtain a Letter of Recommendation from a professional who has known the applicant for 6 months and can address their strengths. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Once an application is received, the applicant will be contacted to schedule an initial interview. Following the initial interview, applicants may be asked to complete specific, personalized tasks related to goal achievement. After completion of those tasks, applicants will be placed on the FSS waitlist. Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee FSS participation or housing eligibility.

The FSS program is not an emergency housing program and placement on the waitlist may last up to one year or longer.

To participate in Boulder County’s Family Self-Sufficiency program, please fill out this application.

FSS Waitlist:

The FSS monthly check in is done for those individuals who have their name on the FSS waitlist. This was created because the FSS support specialist had discovered that individuals being on the waitlist for a long period of time may result in feeling disconnected from the FSS program even though they are not “officially” in the FSS program. Doing a monthly check in allows FSS support specialist the opportunity to see how the applicants on the FSS waitlist are doing in terms of employment and/or school and providing resources to them when needed. The expectation is that individuals are making some progress, however small, while they are on the FSS waitlist.

When the applicant’s name reaches the top of the waitlist and moves into a FSS housing unit, the applicant will be assigned a FSS support specialist and will begin FSS participation.

Who to Contact About the FSS Program

If you have questions about the FSS Program please contact Katie Frye at 303-441-3923 or kfrye@bouldercounty.gov or Mariela Ruiz Mondragon at 303-441-1221 or .

Fax: 303-441-4852
Email:
Mail: Family Self-Sufficiency
2685-A Mapleton Avenue
Boulder, CO 80304

I applied, now what?

  • Once an application is received, the applicant will be contacted to schedule an initial interview if the application is complete.
  • Following the interview, applicants may be asked to complete specific, personalized tasks related to goal achievement.
  • Once the tasks are successfully completed, an applicant will then be placed on the FSS waitlist. Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee FSS participation or housing eligibility.
  • There will be a monthly “check in” done by FSS support specialist to see how things are going for an applicant while they are on the FSS waitlist.
  • When the applicant’s name reaches the top of the waitlist and moves into a FSS housing unit, the applicant will be assigned a support specialist and will begin the program.

Would I have to leave my own house or apartment to be in the FSS program?

Yes, you would have to move into a designated FSS apartment unless you currently have Housing Choice Voucher assistance with Boulder County Housing Authority or Boulder Housing Partners. There are apartments that are designated specifically for FSS families to live in during the 5 years they are participating in the FSS program. These units are located in, Boulder and Lafayette. Once you are in the apartment you would pay 30% of your monthly income towards rent.

Does the FSS program pay for my schooling or child care cost while I work or attend school?

No, the FSS program doesn’t assist participants with their education or child care costs while working or in school. FSS participants who attend school utilize Pell Grants, Student Loans or work part-time. For FSS participants that need help with child care they are directed towards the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) which provides financial assistance to low-income families who are in need of child care services. These families must be working, in school, searching for employment or in training, or enrolled in the Colorado Works Program.

What is the savings account and how does an increase in my work income help me?

A benefit of participation in the FSS program is that as a household’s income increases due to an increased in earned income, a portion of that increase is deposited into an interest-bearing savings account. This income must be from an increase in employment salary and not from SSI, unemployment, Child Support, TANF, etc. The saving account is released to a participant when he/she successfully graduates from the FSS program by completing his/her goals, securing employment, and being free of TANF by the end of their program.

Housing & Human Services – Housing Division

Phone: 303-441-3929
TTY: 1-800-659-3656
Fax: 720-564-2283
Submit a question or comment

Boulder

3460 Broadway
Map & Directions
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306

Family Self-Sufficiency Staff:

Ann Harris

Resident Services Support Specialist
Phone: 303-441-4853
Email:

Alicia Sheflin Thompson

Support Specialist
Phone: 303-682-6717
Email: asheflinthompson@bouldercounty.gov

Katie Frye

Support Specialist
Phone: 303-441-3923
Email:

Mariela Ruiz Mondragon

Bilingual Support Specialist
Phone: 303-441-1221
Email: mruizmondragon@bouldercounty.gov

Contact Us

Housing & Human Services

Phone: 303-441-1000
TTY: 1-800-659-3656
Fax: 303-441-1523
Submit a question

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306

Boulder Location

3460 Broadway
Map and Directions Boulder Location

Fax: 720-564-2283
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Longmont Location

515 Coffman St.
Map and Directions Longmont Location
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Lafayette Location

1755 S. Public Road, Lafayette
Map and Directions Lafayette Location
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday
Closed 1-2 p.m. for lunch.

Housing & Human Services website

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