Phoenix-area colleges receive $4M education program grant for low-income parents
Dec 2, 2016, 5:27 AM
(AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)
(AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)
PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix and Maricopa Community Colleges plan to use a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help some low-income parents head back to school.
“It will be used to assist low-income parents so they can actually get into training for high-demand occupations — notably information technology, healthcare and financial services — to secure better-paying jobs,” Kerri Barnes, the quality assurance supervisor for Phoenix’s Arizona at Work program.
The training will be held at Maricopa County community colleges. Barnes said that the funding should provide training to about 600 parents who qualify for Head Start, Temporary Assistance For Needy Families and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs in two Valley areas.
“The grant targets primarily residents of Maryvale and Mesa, however, we can enroll customers who live in Maricopa County,” she said.
The program will help pay for a lot of things.
“It actually (pays for) both childcare and the classes, along with a lot of wraparound support services,” Barnes said. “A lot of work readiness and assistance with getting employment at the end of their training.”
The program will begin enroll people after Jan. 1. If you are interested, you can contact Barnes at Arizona at Work by calling 602-534-0548.
