The Displaced Homemaker Program provides employment counseling, job training, education, and job search assistance to displaced homemakers.
What is a Displaced Homemaker?
A Displaced Homemaker is an individual of 35 years or older:
- Who has worked primarily without compensation to care for a home and family and for that reason has diminished marketable skills
- Has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income
- Is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment
- Has been dependent on federal assistance such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families federal assistance program.
Program History
The Florida Legislature established the Displaced Homemaker Program in 1976. The program was implemented and operated by the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services until 1995 when the Legislature transferred oversight of the program to the Florida Department of Education, Division of Community Colleges.
Additional changes to the program were made during the 2000 legislative session as part of the refinement to the state’s workforce development strategy. Section 446.50 Florida Statutes (2010) requires that the Department of Economic Opportunity administer, operate, and exercise oversight of the Displaced Homemaker Program.
Other Resources
If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, help is available. Find the local certified domestic violence center nearest you, or call the toll-free statewide hotline at 1-800-500-1119.
Find answers to your questions about employment law affecting women and information about grants and financial assistance available for women.