Project HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Employment) assists persons as they prepare for full-time employment. Clients of the Department of Human Services who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are referred to Project HOPE for career services including vocational training. This program, which operates out of Northwest Technology Center, Alva and Fairview and High Plains Institute of Technology, Woodward, serves clients in Alfalfa, Ellis, Grant, Harper, Major, Woods, and Woodward Counties. Sharon Corder and Denise Whitehead are the CO-Coordinators of Project HOPE, while Robin Ross serves as the Career Specialists/Job Developer.

Clients are assessed to determine thier interest, aptitude and work values as well as academic skills. From this information, an individualized vocational education plan is developed as an outline to help each participant achieve personal vocational career goals. In addition to vocational training, clients also receive instruction in life development skills, personal development skills, and workplace basic skills.

Employability skills are critical to the long-term employment of each client. This component of the program stresses skills needed to seek, maintain and change jobs. Resume writing, interview skills, workplace behaviors, appropriate dress, understanding changes in employment roles and working well with others are examples of skills taught to help clients become successful.