The following year, the Washington State Legislature created the WorkFirst program - Washington's own welfare reform program, which is designed to comply with the new federal requirements, and to provide hope, opportunity and upward mobility to people in need. WorkFirst provides services to help people get jobs, keep jobs, and move up a career ladder. These services include help with child care, transportation, training in how to look for work and succeed on the job, and other assistance tailored to the individual needs of the participant. People who receive assistance are expected to look for work, to accept jobs, and to abide by the terms of an Individual Responsibility Plan worked out with their case manager. Working Connections Child Care Working Connections Child Care provides help paying for child care for parents with incomes up to 225 percent of the federal poverty level.
Parents pay a portion of the cost, based on their income and the size of their families.
This program is funded, in part, by savings achieved through WorkFirst caseload reductions. Many of these services are provided through contracts with local, community-based organizations. Emergency assistance is also available to very low-income families for specific needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical expenses. Food Assistance Food assistance is available to all households with incomes below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. The food assistance program is funded by the federal Department of Agriculture.