TCOG’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program Accepts Grant Award

Nearly $200,000 awarded to TCOG through HUD

SHERMAN, JANUARY 27, 2022 – Eric M. Bridges, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments announced today that the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program received a grant award from the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $197,458 to support program administration. “These funds are designed to provide clients with the tools necessary to achieve financial self-sufficiency,” stated Mr. Bridges.

The Family Self Sufficiency Program coordinates Section 8 Rental Assistance with public and private resources to enable families to achieve economic independence. Each participant is required to establish individual goals and achieve them under a five to seven year contract. The theme of Family Self-Sufficiency is to empower people to take control of their lives and become independent, productive members of the community. By combining HUD’s rental assistance program with a package of supportive services, FSS assists families in obtaining the skills they need to achieve financial independence and the pride that goes with it. Research has proven that the FSS program assists families to secure employment, increase wages and accumulate assets.

“People often ask what the Family Self-Sufficiency Program is. I respond it is a program designed to give a hand up, not a hand out. It is a program that changes lives,” stated Rayleen Bingham, TCOG’s Section 8 Program Manager.

TCOG’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program has 94 current participants and 124 clients who have completed the program and graduated, receiving escrow disbursements of $471,561.32 (Average per person $3,802.91). Bingham states the FSS Specialist position is the hub of this program. “It requires in-depth case management and the opportunity to connect on a personal level with the participants. To have a successful program, the specialist is required to assume many different roles; Housing Administrator, Financial Advisor, Information/Referral Specialist, and the most important role, a mentor.” The FSS Specialist is responsible for actively seeking community support and donations. The only portion of FSS funded by HUD is the rental assistance and escrow incentives.

Family Self-Sufficiency provides each participant the ability to achieve their dreams, provide our community with responsible tax-paying citizens and in turn become role models for future generations.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

From Homeless to Hero

SHERMAN, October 16, 2018 – Hard work, perseverance and determination has just paid off for a participant in Texoma Council of Government’s (TCOG) Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Just over six years ago, Tavay Carroll enrolled into the FSS Program desperate to make changes in order to ensure a better life for her and her family. After setting and achieving many goals, including obtaining and maintaining full-time employment, Carroll recently received her graduation certificate. Graduation is a big deal for anyone who reaches success in the program; however, Tavay is especially excited because she believes this step not only changed her story but the future story of her girls.

Carroll’s journey of parenthood started out rocky. She made choices that no parent should have to make and then spiraled out of control— she was lost, deep in her emotions. Tavay found herself homeless and living out of her car. She was fighting for her parental rights and desperately needed and desired a change. Shortly after receiving a hand up with a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Carroll started helping for herself by making different, positive choices. One of these choices was deciding to put the needs of her family first, which she did by completing an application for the FSS Program.

At TCOG, the FSS program is a voluntary, goal-centered program with monetary incentive in the form of an interest-bearing escrow account available to participants who actively work to increase their wages during the program participation. Participants are given 5 years to achieve their goals with up to 2 years additional time, if needed. Throughout this process, they work with an FSS coordinator who truly becomes one of the family’s loudest and proudest cheerleaders. The ultimate goal of the FSS program is to assist in transitioning families into full economic independence.

Carroll tirelessly worked towards her goals one-by-one and fought daily to be the best version of herself she could be. She led her family by example over the last 5-6 years and it has definitely paid off. Both of Tavay’s daughters recently graduated from Sherman High School. Ysatis, a new student enrolled at Grayson College, will be pursuing a degree in either education or criminal justice. Ymani has bravely answered the call to defend her country with the United States Marine Corps where she currently is fulfilling her commitment at basic training in North Carolina. Carroll’s daughters have witnessed their mother persevere and claim triumph over her trials.

“Tavay’s story is inspiring and a lesson to us all,” said Eric Bridges, Executive Director of TCOG. “It exemplifies what’s possible when a person accepts responsibility, put others ahead of themselves, and perseveres instead of succumbing to life’s challenges; characteristics Tavay has clearly instilled in her children.”

FSS programs everywhere share success stories similar to Carroll, nevertheless she and her family have much to celebrate as they complete their journey from homeless to hero.

As Tavay likes to say, “The FSS program helped me to realize that success is just a failure turned inside-out and anybody can accomplish their goals when they put their minds to it. FSS inspires hope.”

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, August 4, 2016 – TCOG Executive Director, Susan B. Thomas, PhD, announced today the award of additional funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the current Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.

The goal of TCOG’s FSS Program is to work with families who are on the Section 8 rental assistance program to establish personal goals that will ultimately lead them to self-sufficiency without reliance on federal assistance. This goal is accomplished by intense case management and connecting clients to appropriate educational, employment and other necessary services. A contract of participation is developed for each client which outlines their personal goals and the timelines to achieve those goals.

“This additional funding will enable us to further the efforts of TCOG’s FSS program by supporting an additional FSS Coordinator position,” Allison Minton, Client Services Department Director stated. “Our current FSS Coordinator works with 85 clients, more than twice the average caseload. The additional Coordinator will help support our current caseload and reach additional clients with the program; improving and changing lives.” To date, TCOG’s FSS program has graduated over 90 clients who now live independent of federal assistance.

“This program works,” Dr. Thomas said. “There are families living better, more productive lives as a result and we are thrilled to expand the program to offer additional families the opportunity to create a better life for themselves.”

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

TCOG Family Self-Sufficiency Client Achieves Home Ownership

SHERMAN, APRIL 28, 2015 – Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) hosted a ribbon-cutting at 211 E. Cottonwood in Leonard, Texas to celebrate Cindi Spoonemore, a TCOG Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) client who realized the American Dream of home ownership. Mayor Willie Johnson, TCOG staff plus family and friends of Ms. Spoonemore were on hand to offer congratulations.

The goal of the TCOG FSS Program is to eliminate or decrease dependence on Government assistance and to establish self-sufficiency. As an FSS client, Ms. Spoonemore entered into a contract of participation with the main goal of becoming a homeowner. Through the program, Ms. Spoonemore worked to dramatically improve her credit score, completed the Homebuyer’s course, and ultimately became eligible for a mortgage loan.

“TCOG is synonymous with building quality of life in Texoma. What better way to do that than help a fellow Texoma citizen become self-sufficient and the owner of her own home,” stated Dr. Susan B. Thomas, TCOG Executive Director.

Through drive and determination, Ms. Spoonemore completed the FSS program and reached her ultimate goal of home ownership. When asked about her accomplishment, Cindi stated, “My house is awesome, and I wake up every morning with a smile on my face! I was surprised and impressed with how quickly TCOG’s Home Ownership program helped me to become a homeowner.”

The Family Self-Sufficiency and Home Ownership programs are subprograms of TCOG’s Section 8 HCV Program. The FSS program assists clients in achieving goals that are structured on a five year plan, and includes the Home Ownership program which specializes in preparing clients for home ownership.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, June 30, 2014 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) recognized Leisa Bennett, a client of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, as the new record holder for completing the program. Ms. Bennett met all requirements and completed the program in a short seven months.

The TCOG FSS program offers clients hope. Hope for a brighter, successful future where they are self-reliant and independent of government assistance. Ms. Bennett entered into the FSS contract of participation and identified goals she planned to pursue that would take her to self-sufficiency. Those goals included: pursuing employment, furthering her education and being a responsible role model to her children.

Dr. Thomas said, “The FSS Program is an effective but extremely challenging program that takes a tremendous amount of grit and determination to complete.” Thomas described the program as one that redirects, changes, and occasionally even saves lives, but rarely does that happen in seven months. Thomas noted that throughout the program, Bennett exhibited a tenacious desire to change her circumstances and live a life free of government subsidies. “I think oftentimes individuals who benefit from government assistant programs are stereotyped across the board as lazy and undeserving, unwilling to do what it takes to make a better way for themselves and their families. Our Self-Sufficiency clients are debunking that myth, and Ms. Bennett has become the leader of that pack.”

After she identified her goals, TCOG provided Ms. Bennett specific supportive services including employment and educational referrals. A few months into the program, she landed a position at the VA Medical Center in Bonham, TX. On January 31st, 2014 after a mere 7 months in the program, Ms. Bennett completed all her goals and graduated from the Program.

Through her success, Ms. Bennett has become inspiration to other FSS clients. She is an example of how hope and determination can propel you when trying to improve your life, and as the recipient of the FSS 2014 Parent of the Year, Ms. Bennett has proven herself to be a responsible role model to her children. “I am really excited about graduating, and I still hope to remain involved with the FSS Program in some way,” Ms. Bennett said.

The FSS program currently has 88 participants. There have been 78 successful graduates since the inception of the program in 1994.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.