Washington's WorkFirst Program

The WorkFirst Program is Washington State’s welfare-to-work strategy.  It is based on the belief that everyone has abilities needed in today’s workforce with work as the foundation building block to assist families to get off welfare.  Washington initiated the WorkFirst Program in August 1997 to help low-income families become self-sufficient by providing employment services, training, child care, and other support services necessary for parents to get a job, keep a job and move up a career ladder.

Community Jobs- Your Partner for Success

CTED's WorkFirst Program

Community Jobs is a comprehensive, paid work program that combines training opportunities with intensive case management services to parents who participate in Washington State’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program and who have been unsuccessful in traditional WorkFirst job readiness activities.

CTED contracts with 16 community-based organizations that provide direct services to families. Contractors develop job opportunities and employ parents 20 hours per week in temporary paid positions at nonprofit organizations and public agencies. They provide an additional 20 hours of case management a week to ensure parents gain access to services that will lead to unsubsidized employment.

For more information about the WorkFirst program in Washington state,
please visit the WorkFirst Washington Website.