Melwood JOBS (TANF- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

The Melwood JOBs program is funded by Virginia Department of Social Services and Alexandria Fund for Human Services. Melwood JOBs is designed to assist Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients of differing abilities obtain and maintain employment while mitigating crises. Through collaborations and partnerships with City of Alexandria, Arlington County Department of Human Services, Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services, Career Works, and Prince William County Department of Social Services; Melwood JOBs is able to provide career development tools that assess the needs of participant’s, and coordinate professional development trainings towards self-sufficiency. Currently the Melwood JOBs program serve individuals that reside in Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Fredericksburg and Prince William County.

Program admission criteria is as follows:
Documented Differing Ability (or willing to be assessed)
Receiving Intensive Case Management Services
Recipient of TANF (current or within the last 24 months)

Receiving Intensive Case Management Services
Recipient of TANF (current or within the last 24 months)
One of the following:

6 Months Unemployed or Working Part-Time
6 Months Poor Job Retention
6 months or less of TANF benefits remaining

Statistics

The Melwood JOBs Program has served 282 participants since July 1, 2017; where 148 participants are employed
86% of participants remain employed for one year or longer
Average Hourly wage is $14.53

Melwood JOBs Offer:

Individualized trusted support to trouble-shoot participant’s current situations
Gift cards and practical incentives to encourage and support participant’s achievements and success.

Melwood JOBs Services:

Career Exploration
Counseling and Guidance
Job Seeking Skills
Interviewing Training
Soft Skills Training
Job Placement
Job Training
Job Retention Services
Professional and Life Skills Development

Melwood JOBs Staff:

	Program Director: Jennifer Van Buren jvanburen@melwood.org 703-299-3232

Arlington County Carolyn Friedman Workforce Specialist cfriedman@melwood.org	Arlington County Logan Ross Independence Specialist lross@melwood.org	City of Alexandria/Arlington Amaima Bashari Workforce Specialist abashari@melwood.org	City of Alexandria Janell Johnson Workforce Specialist jjohnson@melwood.org

City of Alexandria Kara Messiter Independence Specialist kmessiter@melwood.org	City of Fredericksburg Valerie Darden Workforce Specialist vdarden@melwood.org	Prince William County Julia Foster Woodson Workforce Specialist jwoodson@melwood.org	Prince William County Crystal Williams Independence Specialist crwilliams@melwood.org