Technical Assistance Initiative - Welfare to Work Vouchers

Update of Technical Assistance Activities

HUD has awarded The Nelrod Company with the technical assistance contract to provide ongoing support to WtW sites.

As of October 2002, support similar to activities from earlier contracts will be provided: telephone TA, national teleconferences, maintenance of HUD's WtW web site, field office workshops, and onsite TA to selected WtW sites. New activities under this contract include national training sessions for FSS and WtW, development of manuals for WtW and FSS, maintenance of HUD's FSS web site, and compilation of FSS best practices.

See below for WtW resources gathered through HUD technical assistance efforts in Years 1 and 2.

Strategic Plans

As part of Year 2 activities, agencies administering WtW vouchers developed Strategic Plans as a means of improving the success of their programs. Agencies first established specific, measurable goals and then recorded these goals in an agency action document. Research shows that taking these two simple steps can dramatically increase the likelihood of a program's success! The planning process also provided the following:

	A way to engage partners in helping PHAs succeed
	A means of tracking PHA program progress and success
	A way to focus technical assistance on PHA priorities

Many of the agencies administering WtW vouchers created and submitted Strategic Plans to their TA providers. All the plans were different and reflected agencies' individual needs and priorities. To better understand the strategic planning process, you may view sample Strategic Plans for the following WtW Programs:

• Ann Arbor Housing Commission (Adobe PDF, 4 pages)
• Newark Housing Authority (Adobe PDF, 8 pages)
• City of Manassas/Manassas Park (Adobe PDF, 2 pages)

You may also view the Strategic Planning Guide and Planning Tools (3 handouts related to goal-setting) directly from this site.

Field Office Workshops

On June 4, 2003, a regional workshop was held in Washington, DC. The resources below highlight the events of the workshop:

• Washington, DC Workshop Agenda (Adobe PDF, 1 page)
• Workshop Summary (Adobe PDF, 6 pages)
• Web Site Resources (Adobe PDF, 1 page)
• FSS Session (Adobe PDF, 4 pages)
• PowerPoint Presentation on TANF Issues (Adobe PDF, 17 pages)
• PowerPoint Presentation on The Beehive (a self help
  web site for low income families) (Adobe PDF, 14 pages)

On June 12, 2003, a regional workshop was held in Portland, OR. The resources below highlight the events of the workshop:

• Portland, OR Workshop Agenda (Adobe PDF, 1 page)
• Workshop Summary (Adobe PDF, 7 pages)

Ten Field Office/Regional Workshops were conducted in April and May 2002. These workshops provided an opportunity for WtW PHAs and HUD field offices to:

• Showcase best practices for WtW program management;
• Discuss issues and challenges related to program implementation;
• Address technical issues;
• Discuss topics of regional concern; and
• Share ideas, tips, and resources.

This site includes Learning From Each Other case studies and other resources that resulted from these visits.

Onsite Technical Assistance

Read about the Technical Assistance Site Visit (Adobe PDF, 4 pages) to the Housing Authority City and County of Fresno, California which took place on December 19, 2003.

Roundtable Discussions

Between August 15 and September 18, 2002, a series of roundtable discussions related to key WtW topics were held. During these discussions, roundtable participants highlighted program successes and challenges, which contributed to a collection of "tips for success" and other guidance. You can view summaries of the following discussions:

	WtW Issues for State Agencies
	Topics for PHAs in Rural Areas
	FSS and Case Management of WtW Families
	Challenges & Best Practices of PHAs Running JOINT Programs
	Making the TANF/DOL Partnership Work
	Strengthening (Local) Community Partnerships (non-TANF/DOL)
	Family Obligations, Terminations, and Contracts of Participation
	Challenges & Best Practices of PHAs Running LARGE WtW Programs (700 vouchers or more)

View the attached flyer and registration form for more information, registration information, and discussion dates. [Note that the registration form is the same registration form used for Teleconference 13: Strengthening TANF/DOL Partnerships.]

National Teleconferences

As part of a technical assistance package offered to housing authorities, HUD sponsors a series of teleconferences on key WtW topics. The teleconference series serves as a forum for exchanging information, sharing innovative ideas, and raising issues or concerns. See below for materials and audio clips from previously-held teleconferences and stay tuned for information about future teleconferences.

• Teleconference 19: Best Practices/Lesson Learned, HUD Updates and Q&A Session

  On March 25, 2004, participants gained valuable information on best practices/lessons learned from other sites, networking with other sites, HUD updates on WtW policy changes, and guidance on the WtW program transition.

• Teleconference 18: Keep Up With Changes in TANF

  On December 17, 2003, participants gained valuable information about changes in TANF, its impact on the WtW program, and how sites can successfully handle these changes.

The following resources are available for Teleconference 18:

• Transcript (Adobe PDF, 2 pages).
• Welfare Reform: Reauthorization Issues and Potential Impacts (Adobe PDF, 15 pages)

• Teleconference 17: Financial Planning and Management Skills

  On September 30, 2003, participants gained valuable information about financial education services such as Money Smart, Individual Development Accounts and Earned Income Tax Credit.

• Teleconference 16: WtW Program Commences to Strengthen Partnerships with Community Colleges

  On June 26, 2003, the sixteenth WtW national teleconference was held. Participants learned valuable information about the benefits of collaborating with local community colleges to provide additional resources for WtW participants.

The following resource is available for Teleconference 16:

• Transcript (Adobe PDF, 4 pages).

• Teleconference 15: Homeownership Tools in the Palm of Your Hand

  On March 19, 2003, the fifteenth WtW national teleconference was held. Highlights of the teleconference include: homeownership as a self-sufficiency tool for Welfare to Work participants, the basic requirement of homeownership programs, strategies for implementation, and the advantages of homeownership as it relates to the WtW program.

The following resource is available for Teleconference 15:

• Transcript (Adobe PDF, 9 pages).

• Teleconference 14: Strengthening the Foundation-Making Paper Work for People

  On December 17, 2002, the fourteenth WtW national teleconference was held. The teleconference covered several topics: WtW regulations, developing and continuing to build partnerships with the community/agencies, recruiting new participants, WtW as it relates to Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), and the importance of reporting.

The following resource is available for Teleconference 14:

• December's Teleconference summary (Adobe PDF, 4 pages).

• Teleconference 13: Strengthening TANF and DOL Partnerships

  On August 22, 2002, HUD hosted its thirteenth WtW voucher program national teleconference. This teleconference included a HUD update and discussion of overcoming barriers to develop strong, working relationships; key ingredients for building and maintaining TANF/DOL partnerships; working within the constraints of TANF/DOL partnerships; and best practices with tips for succeeding.

The following resources are available for Teleconference 13:

• Learning From Each Other Alaska which describes how the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has partnered with the State TANF agency to provide case management and family outreach to WtW clients in this challenging geographic area.
• Learning From Each Other Anaheim which describes how the Anaheim Housing Authority (AHA) and the Orange County Social Service Agency (OCSSA) have used strong communications and streamlined processes to create a PHA/TANF partnership that really works.

• Teleconference 12: Models of Case Management

  On August 8, 2002, HUD hosted its twelfth WtW voucher program national teleconference. This teleconference included a HUD update and discussion of how to succeed with FSS, develop strong support systems, integrate work requirements with case management, and utilize community resources.

The following resources are available for Teleconference 12:

• Learning From Each Other Salem which describes how Salem, OR has partnered with the local TANF-administering agency for seamless case management of WtW clients.
• Learning From Each Other Perth Amboy which discusses how Perth Amboy, NJ has leveraged staffing resources to provide effective case management and supportive services to WtW clients.

The Promising Program Practices page on this site also includes information on the Greater Richmond Employment Assistance Team (G.R.E.A.T.), the third presenter of this teleconference. View the Supportive Services section of that page for more information.

• Teleconference 11: Focus on Family Self-Sufficiency

  On April 4, 2002, HUD hosted its eleventh WtW voucher program national teleconference. Speakers provided a HUD update and discussed how to integrate WtW and FSS; sell the FSS program to WtW families; and implement FSS best practices. For information about the 2002 Funding Availability for Housing Choice Voucher FSS Program Coordinators, view our NOFA summary.

The following resources are available for Teleconference 11:

• Learning from Each Other Chicago which features information on how the Chicago Housing Authority Corporation has used FSS to leverage WtW resources and achieve common goals.
• Learning from Each Other New Hampshire discusses how the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority meets the needs of WtW voucher holders with tailored services through their FSS program.
• Learning from Each Other Las Vegas discusses how the Las Vegas Housing Authority uses the FSS program to help voucher recipients move to self-sufficiency.

• Teleconference 10: Focus on Employment Part 2: More Strategies & Success Stories
  
  On February 26, 2002, HUD hosted its tenth WtW voucher program national teleconference. Speakers discussed how to help families receive job services, how to build TANF agency and workforce development board partnerships, and strategies for building and maintaining strong partnerships. Over 150 HUD field office staff and PHA WtW staff participated in the call.
  
  The following resources are available for Teleconference 10:

• Summary of Teleconference 10 which includes a brief summary of the HUD Update and profiles of our presenters.
• Learning From Each Other Mid-Columbia which features information on Mid-Columbia's partnership model for case-management and other strategies for supporting WtW families in their efforts to obtain/retain employment.
• Learning From Each Other San Jose/Santa Clara (CA) which features a second partnership model for case management as well as strategies for building partnerships and supporting WtW families in their efforts to obtain/retain employment.

• Teleconference 9: Focus on Employment
  On January 24, 2002 HUD hosted its ninth WtW voucher program national teleconference. The teleconference featured several presentations on employment-related topics. Over 200 HUD field offices and WtW PHA staff participated in the call.

The following resources are available for Teleconference 9:

• Summary of Teleconference 9 which includes a brief summary of the HUD Update and Work Strategies for WtW Participants presentations, as well profiles of out presenters.
• Learning From Each Other Newark which features more information on Newark's Welfare to Work Employment Center Services.
• EITC Fact Sheet which includes the latest on EITC policy and implementation strategies.
• Ten Ways PHAs Can Promote the Earned Income Tax Credit which outlines 10 effective outreach strategies for PHAs promoting the EITC.

• Teleconference 8: Focus on Finance: Budgeting, Utilization, Recapture, and Reallocation
  
  On December 6, 2001, HUD hosted its eighth WtW voucher program national teleconference. This teleconference included an update on recent HUD policy, reviewed key legislative developments and guidance, provided information on the funding renewal process, reviewed the November 1, 2001 Notice on Reallocation Procedures, and provided information on monitoring WtW leasing and utilization. You can can download the following materials for this teleconference:

• Teleconference agenda (Adobe PDF, 1 page)
• Teleconference training materials (Adobe PDF, 9 pages)
• Form HUD-52672, Supporting Data for Annual Contributions Estimates
• Form HUD-52673, Estimate of Total Required Annual contributing Form HUD-52681, Year-End Settlement Statement

Materials from year 1 teleconferences

The first two teleconferences in Year 1 focused on strategies for achieving 100% lease-up. Five PHA panelists shared stories that illustrated how to organize internally and manage the leasing of WtW vouchers. This site contains highlights of each panel presentation:

	Housing Authority of Salt Lake City: Four Steps to Successful Lease Up
	Baltimore County (MD) Housing Authority: Streamlining Intake and Leasing Procedures
	Snohomish County and Everett County (WA) Housing Authorities: Building A Unique Partnership with Local Service Agencies
	Fresno (CA) Housing Authority: Using Partnerships and Housing Fairs to Lease Up
	Plymouth (MI) Housing Commission: Focusing on Start-Up to Meet Program Objectives

Series tapes

The remainder of the teleconference series is available as audio files. To listen to these teleconferences from your computer, simply download RealPlayer 8 Basic, then open the audio files below. Note: This software can be downloaded for free--please allow 3-5 minutes for download, and allow several seconds for connecting to each audio file:

	Teleconference 3: Strategies for Leasing in a Tight Housing Market August 15, 2001
	Teleconference 4: Beyond Issuance, More Leasing Strategies and Best Practices November 6, 2001
	Teleconference 5: Using Partnerships to Effectively Achieve WtW Objectives December 6, 2001
	Teleconference 6: Lessons Learned After a Year of Implementation (HUD staff only) March 28, 2001
	Teleconference 7: Lessons Learned After a Year of Implementation (HUD and PHA staff) March 29, 2001