Frequently Asked Questions

Career Services                     Job Seeker Services Education Services                Labor Market Services Community Services              Financial Services Unemployment Services         Veteran Services Youth Services                      Senior Services Staff Provided Services           Apprenticeship Services

Recruitment Services                Education Services Employer Incentives             Human Resource Information Employer Based Training          Incumbent Worker Training Labor Market Services          Labor Relation Information Trade Adjustment Assistance       North American Free Trade Agreement - TAA EEO Information                 Government Resources Wellness and Ergonomics          Staff Provided Services

LaJET is the Louisiana Job Employment and Training program which provide employment and training services to Caddo Parish Food Stamp Recipients who are Mandatory Work Registrants.

Participants will be reported failure to comply if they do not comply with any aspect of the program. If this happens, the participant will lose their food stamp benefits for three (3) months, and will not be able to regain their benefits until they do comply.

The program is designed to be complete within three (3) weeks from the date of orientation. The participant must complete twelve (12) hours of assessment and training. This is done in two (2) to three (3) days depending on the program component assignment. The participant must also do Job Search over the three (3) week period by placing applications with twenty-four (24) companies. At the end of the three (3) week period, the participant will return to our office for an Exit Interview which normally takes about thirty (30) minutes.

If you are reported Failure to Comply, you must contact your Office of Family Support (OFS) Food Stamp Case Worker as soon as possible. Tell her that you need a Form-5D in order to comply with the LaJET Program. Bring the Form-5D to the LaJET office at 1237 Murphy Street – Basement – City Hall Annex. Someone with the LaJET staff will schedule you to complete your missed requirement. Once you have complied a LaJET staff member will FAX your Form-5D to your OFS Food Stamp Case Worker to advise her of your compliance. You will regain your Food Stamp benefits some time after that.

You may contact the LaJET Program Manager, Celena Strickland at 318-673-7585.

Workforce Investment Act or WIA as it is commonly called, provides the framework for a unique national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet the needs of the nation’s businesses and the needs of job seekers and those who want to further their careers.

Yes! You can locate a training or educational program that is related to your occupation or field of interest.

18 or older U.S. Citizen Selective Service Registered (if applicable)

Case manager assigned Fill out application Provide proof of citizenship, residency, date of birth and age verification, income verification and any other required documentation.

We offer financial assistance through our EDI Program (Economic Development Initiative) to businesses located in the designated 16 target areas of Shreveport?

Up to $250,000 with up to an additional $50,000 allocated for working capital.

Yes, the city requires that start-up business applicants put in a 20% cash and/or asset injection into the business; existing business applicants are asked to put a minimum of 10% equity.

Businesses involved in illegal, gaming or religious business activities. Also, we will not fund for speculative business or purposes, pyramid sales activities, political campaigns, or investment companies or loan companies. Lastly, we will not fund owners who are incarcerated or on probation or parole.

No, the business must be located within the city limits of Shreveport.

No, the city’s loan program prohibits using the money for debt consolidation, refinancing or personal financing, to name a few.

Since the city utilizes federal funds from HUD, The main requirement is that one must adhere to the job creation requirements, which is to create or retain one job per every $35,000 borrowed within two years.

The monthly payment will vary, depending on the amount borrowed, the interest rate and the term of the financing.

The interest rate varies depending on the customer’s personal credit, the type of collateral being used to secure the loan, etc., however, the rate can range between 3 – 7 %.

Yes, as long as one has a completed business plan, has been turned down by a local financial institution for the same amount being asked from the city, and meets the job creation requirements.

The internet offers many business plan guidelines and business plan samples; however, if you are seeking personal assistance, you should contact the local Small Business Development Center at LSU-Shreveport.

Monies available for short-term capital needs, typically to fund accounts receivable and inventory.

The Loan Committee is scheduled to meet on the third Thursday of every month, however, they do not meet if there is no business to present.

The last day of the previous month is the deadline; however, if the project is new construction, more time may be necessary.

Yes, if the applicant wishes to make a presentation, he or she is allotted approximately 5-10 minutes to sell their business and, perhaps, themselves, to the committee.

The city makes every effort to close the loan and disperse the funds in timely manner; however, every circumstance is different. Once the applicant, the Loan Coordinator and the attorney are able to coordinate their schedules, the closing takes place and fund are distributed accordingly.

Yes, even though the city is not a lending institution, we review applications just as a bank would, evaluating on the standard underwriting criteria, using the “Eight “C’s” of Credit Rule”: 1. Credit (must be reasonably good) 2. Capacity (ability to repay) 3. Capital (money going into the business) 4. Collateral (your asset that secure the loan) 5. Character (you as a person) 6. Conditions (economy, finances, anything that affects your business) 7. Commitment (your ability and willingness to succeed) 8. Cash Flow (can it support the business’ debt and expenses?)