TOPS affordable housing program serves seasonal workers

The mission of Tennessee Opportunity Programs, or TOPS, is, “to empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers and other disadvantaged Tennesseans to achieve economic self sufficiency by providing services that address their individual needs.” TOPS offers a variety of educational and other programs for migrant workers and their children.

Alongside the United States Department of Labor, TOPS aids eligible migrant or seasonal farmworkers in obtaining adequate, affordable housing. TOPS provides housing counseling, assistance in filing loan applications, assistance in the development of single and multi-family homes, weatherization of homes, and rehabilitation efforts.

TOPS also provides nutritional assistance through WIC, for Women, Infants, and Children. TOPS currently has employed a WIC Clerk, and maintains an office for Nutrition Education for the South Central Regional Health. Migrant or seasonal workers who are eligible may receive vouchers to redeem food at grocery stores to feed women, infants, and children.

TOPS provides Migrant Education, for the Tennessee Department of Education. This program identifies and recruits migrant children throughout the state and helps to implement educational programs and other services throughout the year. Other programs available for the children of migrant or season workers include LEAPS, an after school program in Warren County, which provides enrichment opportunities for 90 students K through 8^th grade.

In order to further cultivate employable skills in seasonal and migrant workers that also facilities the abilities of workers and their families to transition to self-sufficiency in society, TOPS created a program called English in Minutes. English In Minutes was designed by TOPS to help Spanish speakers learn English. Through five quality, inexpensive books, a seasonal or migrant worker can learn how to speak English conversationally.

TOPS also offers the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program. This program offers an opportunity for migrant or seasonal farm workers to gain education beyond high school and GED education, and to secure employment. Depending on a worker’s interests and abilities, an individual may gain classroom training at one of Tennessee’s Technology Centers, on the job training, or work experience. Eligibility for the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program is based upon several criteria, including being a citizen of the United States, registration in the Selective Service if born after 1960, earning 50% of income or 50% of time worked, or if farm work income during a 12 month consecutive period did not exceed the poverty limit.

For more information on any of the TOPS programs, call 800-342-1489.