Family Self-Sufficiency Program graduate Jocelyn T. Blas with U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development representatives, Northern Marianas Housing Corporation board of directors, corporate director and deputy corporate director.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program graduate Michael Q. Tomokane and family with U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development representatives, Northern Marianas Housing Corporation board of directors, corporate director and deputy corporate director.
Michael Q. Tomokane and Jocelyn T. Blas
(NMHC) — On Aug. 21, 2023, Northern Marianas Housing Corporation’s board of directors, management and staff, as well as U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Honolulu Field Office representatives, presented the two graduates, Jocelyn T. Blas and Michael Q. Tomokane, Certificates of Completion under the NMHC’s Family Self-Sufficiency or FSS Program.
During the presentation, Chairwoman Marcie M. Tomokane and the NMHC board of directors, congratulated both graduates and commended them for their outstanding achievement.
Chairwoman Tomokane, stated, “We are extremely proud of Ms. Blas and Mr. Tomokane for completing the FSS Program and have become self-sufficient. They are the perfect examples along with the previous graduates so that others may enroll in the program to better themselves and learn new skills.”
NMHC continues to encourage Housing Choice Voucher participants to enroll in the FSS Program to avail themselves of assistance such as job placement, obtaining GED, learning crafts and trades, etc. to better their lives and become less dependent on federal subsidies/assistance.
NMHC continues to work with the current 19 households to successfully compete the program.
In an interview with Jocelyn, she stated, “I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to save up through the assistance of your office and be sufficient enough and ready to provide a comfortable home for my children.”
As a single parent and no caretaker, she applied during the opening of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list in order to secure a safe, decent, and sanitary home for her family.
She participated in the FSS Program in April 2016 and wanted to gain employment and further her education.
Through the assistance of the FSS coordinator, she started applying at the Workforce Investment Agency.
By May 2017 she was hired and started working at the CNMI Scholarship Office as a financial aid analyst.
Blas continues to look to continue with her education and by January 2022 she received her Associates of Science in Business from the Columbia Southern University. Jocelyn stated that she will pursue her Bachelor’s in Business. In July 2022, Jocelyn was given the position as a Compliance Specialist I, which she still holds presently with the CNMI Scholarship Office.
The other graduate, Michael Tomokane, was one of the first applicants of the FSS Program. In April 2016, he was accepted in the FSS Program. He just started working under the Public School System Early Head Start Program as a teacher aide. By 2021, he was given the opportunity to become an instructor and have his own classroom.
According to Michael, he loves and enjoys his job as an instructor. He was able to teach younger kids to be independent and seeing the progress of kids making the changes in their lives. “Having a stable job meant that my family and I had the opportunity to establish a more secure foundation. This program not only provided us with financial support but also offered a chance to save for our place. This savings would prove invaluable when it came to furnishing our new home and covering initial expenses,” he stated.
The FSS Program is a voluntary program designed to assist families in becoming economically dependent. With the support of local agencies, FSS combines case management, education, job training, and ongoing support to aid the family in improving their lives and to achieve complete financial independence within 5-7 years. The main requirements are the desire to become self-sufficient and a commitment to take the steps necessary to make this happen.
Eligible participants are those who are currently receiving rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and are the head of household and 18 years of age or older.
A great benefit to the FSS Program is that recipients, who pay a rent share, receive an interest-bearing escrow account. The account accrues as the household’s portion accrues as the household’s portion of rent increases because of an increase in earned income. The account is held until the participant successfully completes the contract.
