Program Overview

Better Family Life, Inc. (BFL) has partnered with ARCHS to develop a comprehensive, customer friendly training and employment program to support low income residents living in the Promise Zone. 

Families with children currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may participate in free training and employment services. 
We offer an array of services including transportation assistance, work relatedexpenses and childcare assistance. Our friendly approach will help participants successfully navigate career pathways, effective short term training and ultimately successful job placement and retention.  

Training & Professional Development

The Training and Professional Development Team assists participants in improving their skillset by obtaining Stackable Credentials through training for professional licenses, certifications and career skills.  We have our Career Readiness Training (CRT) thatempowers customers with soft skills and work ethics to rapidly attain and retain employment. 

WorkKeys is an assessment tool developed by ACT to help synergize and connect businesses & job seekers to the workforce.  WorkKeys is recognized by many area employers as a key indicator of one’s ability to perform daily job functions.  

Employment

The Employment team works with each participant to identify career opportunities, job placement and retention services. The Employment team develops and cultivatesrelationships with area employers to ensure rapid attachment to the workforce for SkillUP participants.  The team works one on one with participants to coach and prepare them for career success.  

Case Management

The goal of Case Management is to assist customers in every aspect of their matriculation through the SkillUP program.  Through our various assessments, we will determine the customer’s interests, existing barriers towards employment, career pathway and any other resources needed by the customer on their path towards self-sufficiency.  Customers that we are unable to assist will be given resources and referrals to assist in meeting their needs.  

Annual Events

SkillUP Empowerment Week

Shannon Mitchell 

Shannon is a mother of three. Shannon came to the BFL SkillUP program in September of 2018. It was during her interview with case management, we learned Shannon experienced a house fire. Shannon was referred to intensive services where she was able to find housing for her and her family. 

It was clear to staff that Shannon desired to advance her career as a Certified Medication Technician. Shannon came to us with experience as a Certified Nurse Assistance. Shannon not only attended class regularly she also worked nights to support her family. Shannon completed Career Readiness Training in October of 2018. Shannon also attended Daruby School and completed Certified Medication Technician certification. Daruby stated that Shannon was a star student upon completing her certification in December of 2018. Shannon is a strong testament of what active listening, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills can remedy with the intent to be successful. We were pleased to learn that our employment team was able to assist Shannon in obtaining a job with Ascension and started orientation January 29, 2019. 

Lestine Daniels 

Lestine is a mother of 4. Lestine came to the BFL SkillUP program in September of 2018. Lestine elected to stay home with her children until they became of school age. After several years of being at home Lestine found it difficult to reenter the workforce. Lestine had heard about Better Family Life and decided to attend our SkillUP orientation. It was during the orientation that she was happy to learn that we offered a Call Center training which she was interested in enrolling in. 

Lestine was an inspiration to many of our students in class. She was always very encouraging and possessed a wealth of knowledge. Lestine had worked in customer service previously shared her customer service experiences with the class. Lestine completed several hours of ACT WorkKeys Curriculum lessons which helped her to obtain her ACT WorkKeys NCRC. Once Lestine finished Career Readiness training she immediately enrolled in Call Center training to grow her expertise. During Call Center training, Better Family Life, offered computer training through New Horizons Training Center which included Microsoft Word and Excel. 

Currently Lestine is scheduled for a second interview with Family Support Division. 

This program is being funded by the Missouri Family Support Division and ARCHS. 

ARCHS

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) funds and strategically enhances initiatives that improve the lives of children and families facing disparities and disadvantages in St. Louis’ most resource deprived communities.