Family Self Sufficiency: About Us

What is FSS?
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a program designed to help low-income families gain education and job skills in order to improve their family’s financial situation and overall quality of life.

Who Can Participate?
Family Self-Sufficiency is open to low-income families and single parents who are interested in pursuing further education in the form of a GED, high school diploma, training certificate or college degree. In most cases, applicants must have section 8 rental assistance or live in subsidized housing. Applicants may currently be enrolled in a school or a job-training program, be receiving welfare, or be employed. FSS participants come from a variety of backgrounds and situations. Some participants are the first in their family to attend college. Others may have recently become single parents and need extra support. Some have experienced other difficult obstacles, such as domestic violence or homelessness. One thing that all FSS participants have in common is that they are ready to make a change, and are determined to move forward to make a better life for themselves and their children.

What Can FSS Do For Families?
FSS helps participants set training and educational goals that will lead to better-paying jobs. Participants may receive assistance with tuition, childcare, housing, transportation, and personal support. FSS case managers help participants access these resources. For example:

Services offered directly by the FSS program:

Case Management
Computer lab
Career closet (donated professional clothing)
Counseling (provided by interns at no charge)
Food bank
Newsletter
Holiday program (FSS families are “adopted” by a family in the community that provides gifts)
Family Resource Directory
Emergency financial assistance

Services offered through agency partners:

Gas vouchers and bus tokens from Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA)
Career counseling, resume writing, job search assistance with Boulder County Workforce
Academic advising and financial aid assistance with Front Range Community College
Community Food Share provides food for our food bank
Kids arts and crafts
Rental and utility assistance and emergency food assistance with the OUR Center and EFAA

How to Apply

Complete the FSS application and mail completed forms to FSS at 2685 A Mapleton Ave., Boulder, CO, 80304. Once the application is received, individual interviews are scheduled to review FSS program information with applicants. During this interview, the FSS case managers provide information about the services offered and the expectations for FSS program participants. Those selected to participate must demonstrate motivation to become self-sufficient, the willingness to work with a case manager, and a need for the services provided by FSS. FSS selects families without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, educational level, or national origin. Participation in the FSS program can last up to five years, depending on the individual needs of each participant.

Educational Opportunities

FSS participants work with a case manager to define their own goals and aspirations, and together they choose school and training programs that fit in with those personal goals. Some examples of degrees and certificates earned by FSS participants include:

General Educational Development (GED)
Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LPN)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Early Childhood Education Certification
Business Management
Computer Information Systems
Pharmacy Technician
Teaching
Registered Nurse (RN)
Paralegal
Veterinary Technician
Para-educator Certification
Medical Assisting

Click here to view a detailed program brochure.

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