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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 24, 2018
Kennewick, Wash.
The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council has received a new contract called Families Forward Washington in the amount of $682,706 to fund reemployment opportunities and training services for 100 noncustodial parents. The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council is the fifth location in the country to offer Families Forward. The key objective is to improve the earnings capacity of noncustodial parents, thereby increasing their ability to support their children. The Benton Franklin Workforce Development Council is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to assist in the award of $477,894 to a local service provider dedicated to ensuring the success of Families Forward Washington. For agencies interested in responding to the RFI, visit www.bentonfranklinwdc.com for more information.
The deadline is August 24, 2018. “Families Forward Washington will open opportunities for the selected service provider to reach out to the community and help meet an existing need. Assisting families is important to our board of directors and I’m excited that we have been successful in bringing these resources to the Tri-Cities,” said Tiffany Scott, CEO of the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council.
Columbia Basin College is a key partner in Families Forward Washington. They will offer short-term certificate programs designed to upgrade documentable skills for higher paying jobs to the noncustodial parents served by Families Forward Washington. Between approximately September 2018 and December 2020 Families Forward Washington will fund occupational training for the noncustodial parents in the following programs at Columbia Basin College: CDL Truck Driver, Medical Secretary, Basic Machining, Basic Industrial Mechanical Maintenance, Certified Logistics Technician, and Certified Production Technician.
Through the selected service provider, Families Forward Washington will provide support services, career counseling, training, job placement, retention services, financial capacity building services and child support services. Families Forward Washington is supported through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) through a waiver under section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act. Families Forward Washington will be evaluated by MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan social policy research organization with over 40 years of experience launching and evaluating programs for low-income people.
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The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council oversees employment related programs for employers and job seekers in Benton and Franklin counties via an American Job Center, locally known as WorkSource Columbia Basin. The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council provides resources and tools for the public workforce system to help individuals find self-sufficient jobs, stay employed and improve employer prospects for success in the global market place. The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council guides the Workforce System so that it is integrated and streamlined to provide pathways to prosperity.
Media Contact
Sonee Kulaga, Workforce Business Manager
Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council
procurement@bf-wdc.org | 509-734-5984
The Benton – Franklin Workforce Development Council is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service: 711