Community Services

The Family Development Program is designed to help low-income families residing in DeKalb County achieve and maintain a higher level of self-sufficiency.  Families meet on a regular basis with a case manager to discuss their situation and plan for the future.

 

To qualify a family must:

    Be willing to improve their family's situation for the better

    Be willing to meet with a case manager on a regular basis

    Fall within set income guidelines

 

Families can expect to:

    Set goals and make action plans to achieve these goals

    Plan a budget and manage their time

   Learn about agencies that can help them while they strengthen their

families

    Be linked to proper community resources

 

After fully participating for at least two months, families have access to:

Financial assistance that helps with expenses directly related to

employment

    An Individual Savings Account

    Monthly participation incentives

 

This is an ongoing program.  Families must actively participate in the program to remain eligible for financial assistance. The program is designed to fit each family's unique wants and needs.  The family decides the path they want to take to improve their situation.  The case manager acts as the guide and assists the family along the way.  At no point will the case manager tell a family what they must do - this is the family's decision.  Only families who show a willingness to work to improve their situation will benefit from the program. 

 

For more information or to participate in the program, please call Terri Ward at the DeKalb County Community Services Department, 815-748-2494.