Integrated Community Services, Inc.

1. Integrated Community Services, Inc. MISSION: Bringing People and Housing Together with Quality Services That Promote Self-Sufficiency Throughout Northeast Wisconsin. http://www.ics-gb.org/

2. OUR VISION: “We envision a community where all people have affordable, quality housing. Further, we envision a community free of barriers to self-sufficiency.”

3. ICS offers a variety of services: • Rental/Housing Assistance • Energy Assistance • Homeownership • Property Management And… • Family Self-Sufficiency

5. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fund the Housing Choice Voucher, formerly known as Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. The Housing Choice Voucher program is designed to help individuals and families living on a limited income afford a private housing unit. The program is available to qualifying Brown County residents. WHEAP (Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program) The State of Wisconsin Department of Energy funds the WHEAP program. The purpose of Energy Assistance Program is to help low to moderate-income households to pay home heating costs. The cost of wood, fuel oil, propane, natural gas and electricity are included. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by: total household income for three months prior to the appointment month, number of people in the household and annual heating and electric costs.

6. HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fund the Homeownership Program. Clients who are currently receiving Housing Choice Voucher assistance (formerly known as Section 8 Rental Assistance) or are eligible to receive it, can now use their Housing Choice Voucher toward a mortgage to purchase their own home. The Homeownership Program is an extension of the Housing Choice Voucher Program so many of the rules and regulations that apply to the Housing Choice Voucher program also apply to homeownership. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ICS manages numerous rental units in Brown County. These include single family homes, duplexes and apartments. All units are eligible for one of the rental subsidy programs. Rent is based on income and all units must meet Housing Quality Standards. Units are close to city bus lines. An application process is used to determine eligibility. Applicants must meet the Eligibility and Suitability Requirements. Eligibility requirements are determined as such per person household and income limits.

7. Welcome to the Family Self-Sufficiency Orientation! We are glad you are here! Introducing the FSS Coordinators: Jennifer DonElla And Robyn as the Homeownership Coordinator

8. FSS(Family Self-Sufficiency Program) The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds the FSS Program. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program is a voluntary program open to all clients receiving Housing Choice Vouchers. It is designed to assist individuals / families in becoming self-supporting so they will no longer need to rely on public assistance. The only requirement is a desire, willingness and commitment from the client.

9. While I was waiting for my ship to come in, opportunity arrived in the form of a taxi… I missed it because it was disguised in what I least expected! The FSS Program may very well be your “taxi”.

10. What is FSS? First, a definition: “Self-Sufficiency” means living without government assistance programs such as food stamps, assistance with medical, child care, housing, etc. FSS is… • A way out of dependency – A way into self-reliance. • An opportunity to gain control of your life and your finances, to improve your family’s future. • A way to pursue your dreams with a safety net of assistance, support and help along the way. • A way to earn money through an interest-bearing escrow account while in the FSS program.

11. The Escrow Account • Your earned income at the time of the FSS contract will be recorded. • As time goes on and you become employed, there exists the possibility that as your income increases, so will your portion of the rent. • As an FSS participant, when this happens, we examine the difference between what your portion of rent was when you started and what it is ‘now’.

12. Escrow Account Continued • If your portion of rent went up, we will take the difference between the two and put this money in an interest bearing escrow account for you! • Although the account remains in ICS’s name while you are in the program, the money may be accessed to use to overcome roadblocks. • When you successfully graduate, the escrow account WITH INTEREST becomes YOURS! • Past clients have used this money as a down payment on a home or purchase of a vehicle!

13. If you could have anything, do anything, be anything… What would you choose? Happiness is not a destination… it’s a mode of travel.

14. What will I have to do? • QUALIFY: BE RECEIVING HCV RENTAL ASSISTANCE, HAVE DESIRE AND MOTIVATION TO COMPLETE PROGRAM. • JOIN WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF ANY FULL HCV REVIEW (initial, move or annual) • MUST BE WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK BY END OF FSS CONTRACT • 5 YEAR CONTRACT • DEVELOP & FOLLOW THRU ON GOALS

15. What else will I have to do? • WRITTEN “INDIVIDUAL TRAINING AND SERVICES PLAN” OUTLINING GOALS AND STEP BY STEP ACTIVITIES TO COMPLETE EACH GOAL • MUST BE WILLING TO PROACTIVELY WORK TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE • MEET REGULARLY WITH YOUR COORDINATOR AND PROVIDE PERIODIC FOLLOW UP (via phone, mail, email, etc) • SELF-IMPROVEMENT & INCREASE SELF-KNOWLEDGE (what do I want to do, where do I want to be?) • KEEP LOG BOOK UP-TO-DATE WHILE WORKING TOWARD GOALS

16. Change starts within… If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always got!

17. What does participation mean for me? • SUPPORT / GUIDANCE / MENTORING ALONG PATH TO SELF SUFFICIENCY • REFERALS TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES / RESOURCES • INCOME INCREASES • WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOSE HCV • SOCIALIZATION WITH OTHERS IN FSS • GAIN ESCROW ACCOUNT • MERIT AWARDS

18. What are merit awards? • Merit awards are small gift cards awarded to FSS participants for meeting certain goals, such as completing and turning in progress reports. • Merit awards offer incentives to actively participate and be rewarded for your efforts. • Your choice from a variety of certificates: video rentals, gas, fast food, restaurant, in-theater movies, and more!

19. If you don’t like the course you are on, Change Your Position

20. What does successful graduation mean? “GRADUATE” OR COMPLETE THE PROGRAM IN 1 OF 2 WAYS: Increase income to point of self-sufficiency by HUD standards (30% MAI > FMR). AND/OR Meet or exceed all goals established when you signed on with the program. You may still qualify for HCV after you graduate; however, you may not need it any longer.

21. Determination makes the Impossible Possible

22. What will the coordinatorsdo for me? • WE ARE HERE TO ASSIST YOU IN ESTABLISHING REALISTIC SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM GOALS. • WE WILL MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT. WE WILL GET TOUGH AT TIMES AS A MEANS OF STRENGTH FOR YOU. (you give 10% - we’ll give 10%. You give 100% - we’ll give 100%) • WE WILL CONNECT YOU WITH OTHER RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY TO ALLOW YOU MORE ACCESS TO SERVICES TO HELP BETTER MEET YOUR GOALS AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND REMOVE ROADBLOCKS. • BUDGET COUNSELING, CAREER COUNSELING, JOB SKILLS TRAINING (INCLUDING VIDEOS, WORKSHEETS, AND SOCIALIZATIONS), RESUME WRITING & INTERVIEWING SKILLS, ASSIST IN ACQUIRING EDUCATIONAL DEGREES AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING, CHILD CARE, HOMEOWNERSHIP, SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND MORE! • WE WILL BE MONITORING YOUR PROGRESS, OFFERING MERIT AWARDS FOR INTERIM GOALS MET.

23. “The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, But what they become by it.”

25. Other questionsto discuss… • Will my HCV be terminated if my FSS is terminated? • No. Participation in FSS is voluntary. • What if my HCV is cancelled, can I still be in FSS? • No. You must be receiving HCV to be in FSS. • Will you work with my spouse, children, significant other? • FSS is designed for the head of household. We can work with other adults in the home IF the head of house is in FSS. We may also make referrals to family members. • What if I finish the program early by meeting all my goals or get a good job and don’t need assistance any more? • Then, you will have successfully completed the program and will graduate! At that time, the money in escrow becomes yours!

26. Other questionsto discuss… • Exactly how involved will the coordinators be in my life? • Enough to help you get over obstacles, deal with issues, support and guide you in the self-sufficiency path. More or less then that…is up to you. • Does it look good if I join FSS? • Completion of FSS can be a source of pride, an addition to your resume, or a new diploma to hang on your wall. It will make no bearing on receiving “better” benefits, if that is what you had hoped. Don’t join FSS for the wrong reasons…join because it will help you help yourself - in employment, in personal development and planning your family’s new future. You will get out of FSS what you put into FSS…

27. Areyouready?

28. Your future begins... Now! Thank you for coming! We look forward to working with you soon!

29. Please take a moment to complete the needs assessment and give it to the coordinator. You may be able to schedule an appointment directly following the orientation or a coordinator can call you to schedule one.