Displaced Homemakers
Definition
A displaced homemaker is an adult who has been out of the workforce, working to care for the home and children, and often has diminished or hidden marketable skills, has been dependent on public assistance or the income of a relative but is no longer supported by such income, or is a parent whose youngest dependent child will become ineligible to receive assistance under Part A of the Title IV of the Social Security Act, is unemployed or underemployed, and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment (American Vocational Association, 1998, pp. 88-90).
Eligibility
The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who
has worked primarily without remuneration to care for a home and family and for that reason has diminished marketable skills.
Has been dependant on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income.
Is a parent whose youngest dependant child will become ineligible to receive assistance under part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) not later than two years after the date on which the parent applies for assistance under this title.
Is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.
Strategies for Success
- Emphasize nontraditional career that offer greater earning potential resulting a better quality of life (i.e. improved self-esteem, confidence, health benefits, etc.)
- Provide a career planning program that includes resume writing, goal-setting, stress management, wardrobing, and job shadowing experiences.
- Provide support services such as child care, transportation, books, tuition, and uniforms.
- Ensure that school staff members provide a welcoming, accessible and understanding environment.
- Contact community agencies and philanthropic foundations that can assist learners with fees, transportation, childcare, books and tuition.
- Contact the Local Workforce Investment Board to access employment opportunities.
- Market materials that feature photos and testimonials of single parents.
- Provide multiple measures of assessment, such as tests, interviews, inventories, and hands-on work samples that measure basic skills, aptitudes, abilities, interests, and support services.
- Be sensitive to emotional, environmental, and social factors affecting single parents’ attitudes and motivations.
- Arrange for transportation for learners to attend job interviews, CTE programs, and/or worksites.
- Consider providing a textbook rental or textbook lending library.
Provide workshops related to appropriate grooming, dress, punctuality, and workplace ethics.
- Ensure that staff members understand the implication of legal issues that affect single parents (e.g. child/staff ratios in childcare facilities Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, etc.)
- (Postsecondary) Include a statement in the intake process describing the services and supports available for single parents and displaced homemakers. Make sure individuals are aware that answering the question is voluntary, but by self-identifying they may be eligible to receive services.
Illinois Resources
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