“With nearly two and a half million households in our state, it’s important to recognize that at any given moment there are hundreds of thousands of families with a member out of work unable to support children, an elder relative, and themselves,” said Senator Tarr. “Learning occupational skills can lead to a life-long path to meaningful employment and financial security.”
DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue, flanked by the department’s top staff, presented Tarr with the Champions of Self-Sufficiency award as part of a ceremony which also honored the achievements of several clients who gained self-sufficiency, municipal governments, businesses, and non-profit charities in supporting individuals and families in need.
Currently, DTA serves one out of every nine people in the state in an effort to assist low-income people to meet their basic needs and build life skills to increase earning potential to expand economic self-sufficiency.
“Self-sufficiency is an important goal, and our support systems must always keep it in focus,” said Tarr. “Doing that means judiciously engaging in supports for things like nutrition and child care, that can easily become obstacles for someone trying to get a job or return to the workforce.”