Looking for a career?

SincE 2016 we have trained 55 women and men to become professional dog groomers.

Job training that empowers parents and changes lives

The Grooming Project is a tuition-free, six-month training program in the art of dog grooming designed to help struggling parents lift themselves out of poverty. Small groups of students begin our program at various points throughout the year and progress through all the levels of grooming, starting with bathing and ending with hand scissoring.

In addition to hands-on grooming training, students also complete life skills courses in the areas of personal budgeting, positive parenting, conflict resolution, and more.

Ready to get started? The first step is filling out the application below! If you have any questions, please contact Barbie Daniels at bdaniels@epeckc.org or 816-673-9248 for more information.

The Grooming Project is open to both women and men who have at least one child under the age of 18.

Applicants must meet the income guidelines for SNAP benefits to be eligible, though you do not have to be receiving SNAP at the time of application. Please contact Barbie Daniels with further questions.

- Step 1 of 5

Current Date *

Contact Information

Name *

First

Last

Phone Number *

Current Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

County

Email *

How did you hear about The Grooming Project? *

Friend/Family
Social Service Agency
Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
News
Other

If a social service agency referred you to us, which one was it?

If you answered "other," please explain how you heard about us.

Personal Information

Birthdate *

Current Age *

Race/Ethnicity *

Caucasian
African American
Biracial
Hispanic
Native American
Other (Not listed)
Prefer not to answer

I identify my gender as *

Woman
Man
Genderqueer/Non-Binary
Prefer not to disclose
Other (Not listed)

I am:

Right-handed
Left-handed
Ambidextrous

Do you have any physical limitations or medical conditions that could limit your learning and affect your ability to complete our program? *

Education History

Did you graduate high school?

What is the name of the high school?

Did you earn a GED?

Please indicate the highest education you have completed:

Middle School/Junior High
High School Degree
GED
Technical School
Some College
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree

If you have attended Technical School, please indicate which program/trade:

Employment History

Are you currently employed?

Yes, full-time (30+ hours per week)
Yes, part-time (less than 30 hours per week)
No

Where are you currently employed?

How long have you been at this position?

Over the last two years, how many different jobs have you had?

1
2
3
4
5 or more

If admitted to The Grooming Project, will you continue to work in the evenings or on weekends?

Yes
No
Maybe

If admitted to The Grooming Project, what kind of grooming job would you want to have after graduation? *

Full-time
Part-time
Unsure

Family Information

I am currently:

Single
Married
Separated
Divorced
Living with a boyfriend/partner

How many children do you have in your legal custody? *

Please list the ages of the children in your legal custody (Put NA if none): *

How many children do you have, if any, not currently in YOUR legal custody? (For example, children currently in foster care, living with their other parent, or in the care of a relative...etc.)

Please list the ages of the children NOT currently in YOUR legal custody:

Do any of your children have medical or learning issues that could affect your ability to complete this program?

Yes
No
Maybe

Please explain the issues that could affect your ability to complete this program:

What is your current housing status? *

Homeless
Renting, no housing subsidy
Renting, subsidized (Section 8, vouchers, public housing, low income apartment...etc.)
Own your own home
Staying with family or friends
Emergency housing (Rose Brooks, Hope House, other shelters, drug residential...etc.)
Transitional Housing (Hillcrest, River of Refuge, sober living...etc)

Which agency do you use for housing, if any?

What is your primary form of transportation?

Personal car
Rides from friend, family, neighbor, volunteer...etc.
Public transportation (bus)
Uber/Lyft/Z Trip/other ride share service
Walk/Bike
Other

If other, what form of transportation do you use most?

What childcare are you currently using for your child or children?

Family
Childcare center
In-home daycare
Head Start
Kids are in school
Friend or neighbor

If using more than one type of childcare, please explain:

What form of childcare do you use for school age children before and after school?

Financial Information

What is your best estimate of your average MONTHLY household income from a job in 2019 (not including TANF, food stamps, or other assistance)? Please total your income and the income of your spouse/live-in boyfriend/partner. *

$0 to $500 per month
$501 to $1000 per month
$1001 to $2000 per month
More than $2000
Unsure

What is YOUR average monthly income from a job in 2019 (not including TANF, food stamps, or other assistance)? Please ONLY total YOUR income.

$0 to $500 per month
$501 to $1000
$1001 to $2000 per month
More than $2000
Unsure

Do you currently receive SNAP benefits? *

How much in SNAP benefits do you currently receive per month?? *

Do you currently receive TANF benefits? *

How much in TANF benefits do you currently receive per month?? *

Do you currently receive WIC benefits? *

Do you currently receive SSDI? (copy) *

How much in SSDI benefits do you currently receive per month? *

Do you personally receive Medicaid benefits? *

Do you receive a childcare subsidy? (copy) *

If you do not currently receive a childcare subsidy, are you willing to apply for you? *

Yes
No
Maybe

Do you receive any additional government subsidies not mentioned above? If yes, please list the subsidy and amount.

Do you currently receive child support? *

Yes
No
I am legally entitled to it, but the other parent is not actively paying it

How much in child support do you currently receive per month? *

How much in child support are you entitled to per month but not receiving? *

Additional Questions

Why do you want to become a professional pet groomer? *

Do you have any experience or skills related to animals, pet grooming, or customer service? (None is required, but please share if you do.)

What do you think your best qualities are? *

What are your biggest life obstacles right now? *

What do you want life to be like for you and your children in 2 years? 5 years?

I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

My interests change from year to year.

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

Setbacks don't discourage me. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I am a hard worker. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I finish whatever I begin. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I have achieved a goal that took years of work. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I become interested in new pursuits every few months. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

I am diligent. *

Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

How many people are so close to you that you can count on them if you have a serious problem? *

None
1 or 2
3 to 5
6 or more

How much concern do people show in what you are doing? *

A lot of concern and interest
Some concern and interest
Uncertain
Little concern and interest
No concern and interest

How easily can you get practical help from neighbors if you need it? *

Very easy
Easy
Possible
Difficult
Very difficult

Website

Empowering the Parent to Empower the Child (EPEC) is a 501c3 organization dedicated to reducing generational poverty in Kansas City.

Through our state-certified grooming school and our Lee's Summit grooming salon, we train struggling parents to be pet groomers and salon managers, both in-demand, living-wage trades.

The School

5829 Troost Ave, Suite B.

Kansas City, MO 64110

816.214.5376

Open Tuesday - Friday

8 am to 4 pm

..............................................

The Salon

1650 SE Blue Parkway

Lee's Summit, MO 64063

816.525.2440

Open Tuesday - Saturday

8 am to 5 pm