TCOG awarded More Funds to Help Families Become Self-Sufficient

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TCOG awarded More Funds to Help Families Become Self-Sufficient

News Release
For Immediate Release

SHERMAN, August 4, 2016 – TCOG Executive Director, Susan B. Thomas, PhD, announced today the award of additional funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the current Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.

There are families living better, more productive lives as a result and we are thrilled to expand the program to offer additional families the opportunity to create a better life for themselves.

Susan B. Thomas, PhD

The goal of TCOG’s FSS Program is to work with families who are on the Section 8 rental assistance program to establish personal goals that will ultimately lead them to self-sufficiency without reliance on federal assistance. This goal is accomplished by intense case management and connecting clients to appropriate educational, employment and other necessary services. A contract of participation is developed for each client which outlines their personal goals and the timelines to achieve those goals.

“This additional funding will enable us to further the efforts of TCOG’s FSS program by supporting an additional FSS Coordinator position,” Allison Minton, Client Services Department Director stated. “Our current FSS Coordinator works with 85 clients, more than twice the average caseload. The additional Coordinator will help support our current caseload and reach additional clients with the program; improving and changing lives.” To date, TCOG’s FSS program has graduated over 90 clients who now live independent of federal assistance.

“This program works,” Dr. Thomas said. “There are families living better, more productive lives as a result and we are thrilled to expand the program to offer additional families the opportunity to create a better life for themselves.”

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.