WorkFirst: Financial Aid for TANF & Low Income working parents

The WorkFirst program at Skagit Valley College is designed to assist TANF and low income working parents in their educational and employment goals through several programs.

What are the requirements? You must be a Washington state resident (if a non-resident, WorkFirst may pay the resident tuition rate and the student will be required to pay the remaining difference between resident and non-resident) and meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Working 20 or more hours per week

• Parent (child or children under 18)

• Meet the 175% Federal Poverty Income Level.

Federal Poverty Income Level Guideline:

Family Size	Annual Income	Monthly Income
2	$21,210	$1, 786
3	$26,705	$2,225
4	$32,200	$2,683
5	$37,695	$3,141
6	$43,190	$3,599
7	$48,685	$4,057
8	$54,180	$4,515

WorkFirst programs available to TANF/Low income parents:

• Customized Job Skills Training

• Working Connections Child Care

• WorkFirst WorkStudy

• Adult Basic Education/GED

For more information, call the WorkFirst office:

DISTRICT WORKFIRST CONTACTS

Mount Vernon Campus
Sinead Fitzpatrick, WorkFirst Employment and Training Specialist
(360) 416-7869

Whidbey Island Campus
Joyce Gillingham, WorkFirst Coordinator
(360) 416-7856

WorkFirst: Education, Training, and Childcare for Working Parents

WorkFirst is part of Washington state's Welfare-to-Work program which provides tuition, books, and fees for eligible TANF and low income  working parents, short-term training (Customized Job Skills Training), Working Connections Childcare, GED preparation, and  WorkFirst work-study. The WorkFirst staff will assist TANF clients  & Low-Income working parents with developing a plan to gain professional skills and wage progression.

 

Customized Job Skills Training (CJST): 8 to 22 week programs paid for through the WorkFirst program. Trainings that the WorkFirst program has offered in the past include: Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Registration Representative, Customer Service, and Foundations of Healthcare. In order to be eligible for this type of training you must successfully complete the four week WorkPlace Essential Skills course, have a high school diploma or GED and receive a referral from your case manager or Job Club worker.

Basic Education/GED preparation is offered at Skagit Valley College campus or the WorkFirst Literacy Skills center. WorkFirst can assist parents who qualify with the cost of books, tuition, and GED test fees.

WorkFirst Work-Study: Students earn $8.00 per hour while working 16-19 hours per week on campus. The work-study position meets the 20 hours per week requirement for WorkFirst participants who would like to take vocational courses at SVC. To be considered for the work-study program, students must be:

• Be a TANF recipient
• Be enrolled in 6+ credits in a vocational program
• Be eligible for Financial Aid

Working Connections Child Care: Working Connections Child Care, or WCCC, is a childcare subsidy program through DSHS that helps families with children pay for child care to find jobs, keep their jobs, and get better jobs. To be eligible for WCCC students must:

• Students must be working 20 hours or more per week or,
• Working 16-19 hours a week work-study
• Enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits,
• Taking Vocational, Technical, ESL, or GED classes

For More Information

To find out more about the Workfirst Program,  please call:

Mount Vernon Campus
Sinead Fitzpatrick
WorkFirst Employment and Training Specialist

(360) 416-7869

Whidbey Island Campus
Joyce Gillingham
WorkFirst Coordinator

(360) 416-7856