Financial & Family Support Services

We are proud of our 1,000+ partners in Education, Health, Public Safety, Basic Needs and Family Support, Resettlement, Business and Commerce, Policy and Advocacy, Career and Workforce Services, Youth Development, Volunteer Training, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Consumer Information, the Financial Sector, Government, Civic Groups, Community-based Entities, and the Private Sector.

Families and individuals with low income have poorer health outcomes. They are at a greater risk for a variety of diseases, at greater risk of homelessness, and often live shorter lifespans.

Therefore, Lao Family focuses extensive attention on removing barriers to securing income support, federal public benefits, earned income tax credits, income tax refunds, access to Second Chance bank account products, accessing housing due to blemished credit and less than the required income ratios that landlords look for, removing obstacles to accessing healthcare service and insurance, good jobs with career ladders and benefits, skills training and education programs, and meeting their basic needs through free and low-cost sources from clothing, household goods, food, utility benefits and transportation supports.

LFCD uses the highest industry standards, best practices, and structures to guide and support families as part of our full-service case management service to help them achieve the necessary outcomes and sustainable self-sufficiency within our 6-month, 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month pathways.

Lao Family Standards and Structures

Quality, comprehensive, holistic case management
Intake, screening and assessment tools, orientation, implementation, and evaluations
Individually tailored service planning, design, delivery, review, and revision
Goals based on needs, preferences, strengths, measurable objectives, and outcomes
Direct assistance, information and referral, linkage to opportunities, and community support to increase independence and self-reliance
Culturally and linguistically informed service (in 35+ languages)
Timely access to service, including after regular hours and weekends as needed
Mobile unit available to ensure service inclusion and access
Group workshops, peer support, and referrals to formal/network therapy and clinical partners

Quality Individualized Programs, Services and Support

Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Higher Education Opportunities and Access (Oakland/Sacramento)
Affordable Rental Housing, Nonprofit Office Spaces, Event Rental Spaces, Retail Spaces, Cafés, Commercial Catering Kitchens, Art Gallery Centers, Cultural and Training Spaces, Dance Studio, Recreation/Community Centers, and Gardens to increase economic independence—Owner/Operator (Oakland/San Pablo)
California Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA) for Children, Youth, and Adults (Oakland/Sacramento/San Pablo)
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) for needy parents with children—including housing, food, utilities, clothing, and medical care for a specific period. The program has work participation requirements. Partnership with various counties. (Oakland/Sacramento/San Pablo)
California Department of Rehabilitation (Certified Vendor): Job Readiness, Placement, and Support of Individuals with Disabilities—CARF accreditation is complete
Career Technical Education (CTE) Training Provider in Environmental Management, Career Pathways, and Access to Various Certified Training and Apprenticeships (Oakland)
Contra Costa County Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Mental Health Provider for Asian Families (San Pablo)
Consulting and Organizational Development and Support of Emerging Nonprofits
Credit Repair + Establishment, Second Chance Bank Accounts
Crime Victim Assistance—Multiple Services
Department of Labor (DOL)/CA Employment Development Department (EDD)/America’s Job Career Center (AJCC) One Stop Operator (Oakland/San Pablo)
Education + Training Certifications
Employer and Business Services: Concierge service to employers, hiring temp- to-permanent, seasonal hiring, diverse direct hiring, customized training, wage subsidy reimbursement programs, on-the-job training, fair hiring practices, best practice, translation and outreach for special populations, customized on-site hiring and job fairs, employer site tours, etc. (1000+ private, nonprofit and public partners) (Oakland/Sacramento/San Pablo)

Financial Education and Budgeting
Food pantries, clothing, basic needs, SMUD, low-cost energy assistance program, legal clinics, credit repairs, RAP sheets, public benefits screening + referral (CADL + ID), and Green Card + Social Security Card applications
Food Stamps and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for nutritious food
General Assistance (GA)—a relief and support program for adults without dependents
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)—a certificate of completion program (Oakland)
Health and Well-Being—Mental Health PEI
Health Clinics (via partners)
Health System Education, Promotion, Access, and Navigation Programs
Income Tax Return Preparation (VITA & EITC)—FREE
Incubator + Small Business Support
Office-Retail-Commercial Space Development and Management
Redevelopment of motels and vacant assets
Refugee Employment Service (RES), Social Adjustment/Orientation, and Targeted Assistance (TA) (Oakland/Sacramento)
Savings Account Program (IDA)
Senior/Elders Brown Bag Nutrition Program and Counseling (Oakland/Sacramento)
State Department Certified Refugee Resettlement and Placement Service (Oakland/Sacramento)
Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) and HS Diploma/CE (HCCTS partner)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—a program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service/United Way Bay Area (San Pablo/Oakland)
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Service and Youth Worked Based Learning and Internships, Summer jobs, Leadership, High School Graduation, Higher Education Provider (Oakland/San Pablo)

YOUTH PROGRAMS + SERVICES

For 40+ years, Lao Family has provided quality, high-performing, year-round educational, summer jobs, and career programs for Oakland’s youth. Lao Family serves over 300+ youth every year. We are proud that 80% to 100% of our youth graduate from high school and 70% to 90% enter post-secondary education at community colleges and 4-year universities.

Our Main Programs and Services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Year Round Targeting In-School and Out-of-School Youth and Young Adults (16-24 yrs old)
Summer Jobs Internship and Career Pathways Program (16-24 yrs old)
Youth Employment, Leadership Development, and Academic Support
Navy Sea Cadet Youth Leadership Program (Sac Division as a partner)
Summer Youth Employment Program
Underserved Child/Youth Victim Service
The Lao Family Youth program has opened a new 3,000+ SF Teen Education, Entrepreneurship, and Wellness Center at the CARE Community Center Oakland

This new venue will offer multiple programs and co-located partners. The main offerings include:

Computer lab
Quiet study area
Group activity and homework center
Alternative High School diploma/GED preparation program
College outreach center
Recreational center, with outdoor basketball, dance/yoga studio
Social media/app-web-site design training program
Wellness center
Community garden
Outdoor art and gathering patios

Lao Family Youth Program Standards

Quality comprehensive education and skills-based training serving inner-city Oakland youth—ages 16 to 24 years old
Individual-centered case management planning, design, delivery, review, and service revision
Service for youth with disabilities, language, and other barriers.
Intake, screening and assessment tools, orientation, implementation, and evaluation.
Goals based on needs, preferences, strengths, and measurable objectives lead to many positive outcomes, including developing 21st-century skills
Culturally and linguistically informed direct assistance, information and referral, and linkage to opportunities and community supports through formal MOU and network partners, leading to increased academic achievements, literacy gains, graduation rates, college enrollment, independence, and self-reliance.

Timely access to service, including after regular hours and weekends, as needed
Group workshop focusing on job readiness, labor market training, exposure to career pathways, peer support, mentoring, job shadowing, career exposure, apprenticeship access, recognized credential training in Career Technical Education and Vocational Programs, and work-based learning and training.
Higher education programs—university and college tours, college admissions, and financial aid application assistance
GED preparation/alternative high school diploma programs
Increased communication, performance, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical, cultural awareness, and leadership development skills
Permanent hiring opportunities after graduation from the program/college

Populations We Serve

Lao Family specializes in serving diverse inner-city in-school and out-of-school youth and young adults (16 to 27 years old) from the following backgrounds: newly arrived refugees, long-term refugees, recent immigrants, limited English populations, public housing residents, pregnant teens, homeless/foster care, youth with disabilities, and has deficiencies in basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Career Opportunities at Lao Family

See our organization’s current job and career opportunities list on our Join Us page.

Join Us

A PARTIAL LIST of our CURRENT and PAST PARTNERS:

Oakland Unified School District, San Juan Unified School District, Peralta Community College and Contra Costa Community College Districts, Contra Costa Office of Education, Contra Costa Health Department, United Way Bay Area and Sacramento Capital Region, Counties of Contra Costa/Sacramento District Attorneys’ Offices, Sacramento and Alameda Counties’ Food Banks, International Rescue Committee, World Relief, Opening Doors, Highland Community Charter School, Hack the Hood, Oakland Private Industry Council

My Sister’s House, WEAVE, Contra Costa and Alameda Family Justice Centers, Cal Inc. Training, East Bay Refugee Forum, California Reinvestment Coalition, Consumer Action, Asian Pacific Chamber/Richmond/Oakland/Sacramento/ Oakland Chambers of Commerce, ICIC, BART, Port of Oakland, City of Oakland, Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Alameda County Probation/Social Service/Public Health Departments, Oakland Main Library, Community School for Creative Education, San Pablo Economic Development Corporation, New Costa, Alameda, and Sacramento, Sacramento Employment Training Agency, Sacramento Department of Human Assistance, United States Committee on Refugees and Immigrants, Federal Health and Human Service, California Office of Emergency Services, Alameda/Contra Horizons, CHAA, Asian Community Health, Asian Health Services, K-12 Adult Schools Contra Costa, First Five Centers, Bananas, CCC Childcare Council, Semifreddi’s, Galaxy Dessert, Snapp & Associates, State Beneficial Bank, Sierra Health Foundation

Bank of America Foundation, Clearinghouse CDFI, California Statewide Corporation, Chase, SAFE Foundation, California State Park, Equity Community Builders, JRDV, vocational training providers, nonprofit partners public and government partners, banking and legal partners, employers, foundations, policy and advocacy groups, neighborhood safety councils, civic groups, local and community leaders, community-based agencies, faith-based groups, etc.