Adult Job Seekers
WorkFirst Programs
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.
The South Central Workforce Council and its subcontractors (People For People, Yakima Valley Farm Worker Clinic/Northwest Community Action Center and Employment Security Columbia Gorge) provide WorkFirst parents opportunities to gain job skills and experience through a variety of work readiness programs including:
Eligibility
To be eligible for the WorkFirst Program you must be receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) from the State of Washington and reside in Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat or Skamania counties.
Services
WorkFirst participants will be placed on a work experience jobsite for up to 20 hours a week in a career of their interest. The participant will also be required to attend educational and barrier reduction activities for an additional 20 hours a week.
Additional Information
For additional information on the Workfirst programs contact:
- People For People – Kittitas and Yakima Counties
- Ellensburg (509) 925-5311
- Yakima (509) 248-6726
- Toppenish (509) 865-5221
- Sunnyside (509) 836-1156
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic/Northwest Community Action Council–Yakima County
- Toppenish (509) 865-7630
- Yakima (509) 574-0152
- Sunnyside (509) 836-1106
- WorkSource Yakima County
- Yakima (509) 574-0181
- Sunnyside (509) 836-1106
- Columbia Gorge Employment Security Department – Klickitat and Skamania counties
- Goldendale (509) 773-5503
- White Salmon (509) 493-1210
- Stevenson (509) 427-4464
Additional Resources
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(Health care insurance for low income individuals or families) |
To apply, contact: 1-800-660-9840 |
Working Connections Child Care (Help with child care costs) |
To apply, contact: 1-800-446-1114 |
To apply, contact: 1-877-KIDS-NOW |
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ECEAP (Subsidized programs for infant, toddlers, and preschoolers) |
To apply, contact: 360-725-2830 |
To apply, contact: 1-800-955-2232 |
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To apply, contact: 1-877-980-9140 |
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Head Start (For children 3-5 years old) |
To apply, contact: 360-725-2830 |
Medicaid (Social and health services for low income individuals or families) |
To apply, contact: 1-800-562-3022 |
Utility Assistance (LIHEAP) (Help with heating and electricity bills for low income individuals and families) |
To apply, contact: 360-725-2866 |
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Information on food and health resources |
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Helpful Links
For more information about the WorkFirst program: www.workfirst.wa.gov/resources/parents.asp
Self Sufficiency Calculator: www.thecalculator.org
Washington Information Network (WIN) 211: www.win211.org
People For People: www.pfp.org
Northwest Community Action Center : www.ncactopp.org
Washington Career Bridge : www.careerbridge.wa.gov