DAYTON -- If you are unemployed, and have been thinking about going back to school, there may be some financial assistance available for you.
The funding is through the workforce investment act, which was passed through congress in 1998 to improve the job market.
A Miami Valley mother says the program changed her life.
27 year old, Crystal Heflin is a single mother of four kids, all under the age of 10.
She says it's a daily struggle to balance work and parenting, and the minimum wage job she had just wasn't cutting it.
I wasn't happy with my life as far as what i was doing," Heflin explained. "I wanted to do better for my kids."
So Heflin developed a plan, she enrolled in Sinclair Community College, however, she still couldn't afford all the classes.
One of her classmates told her about the Workforce Investment Act services also know as WIA.
When crystal went to Montgomery Co job and family services to learn more about it, she says her prayers were answered.
"They covered all my books, they paid for my license exam at the end for me to get my nursing license, and they paid for all of my classes so they pretty much covered everything," Heflin said.
Here's how you can qualify.
"Are you a dislocated worker, are you somebody who lost a job because of a layoff, closure, or are you a low income individual? Those are the general eligibility criteria," explained Heath MacAlphine, from Montgomery County Job and Family Services.
Crystal was offered a full time job at Miami Valley Hospital as a registered nurse. She's been working at Miami Valley for 2 years and says she couldn't have dont it without the help of WIA.
"This year we've already helped 500 people, 400 of them have gone to school and are getting training in new jobs," said MacAlphine.
Heflin's ultimate goal is to get her masters degree and with the help and training she's received from from WIA she believes she's prepared.
WIA also helps people put a resume together and provides coaching for job interviews.
"It was tough but I'm glad i got through it," she said.
To learn more about these services call the Job Center at (937) 225-5627.
The funding is through the workforce investment act, which was passed through congress in 1998 to improve the job market.
A Miami Valley mother says the program changed her life.
27 year old, Crystal Heflin is a single mother of four kids, all under the age of 10.
She says it's a daily struggle to balance work and parenting, and the minimum wage job she had just wasn't cutting it.
I wasn't happy with my life as far as what i was doing," Heflin explained. "I wanted to do better for my kids."
So Heflin developed a plan, she enrolled in Sinclair Community College, however, she still couldn't afford all the classes.
One of her classmates told her about the Workforce Investment Act services also know as WIA.
When crystal went to Montgomery Co job and family services to learn more about it, she says her prayers were answered.
"They covered all my books, they paid for my license exam at the end for me to get my nursing license, and they paid for all of my classes so they pretty much covered everything," Heflin said.
Here's how you can qualify.
"Are you a dislocated worker, are you somebody who lost a job because of a layoff, closure, or are you a low income individual? Those are the general eligibility criteria," explained Heath MacAlphine, from Montgomery County Job and Family Services.
Crystal was offered a full time job at Miami Valley Hospital as a registered nurse. She's been working at Miami Valley for 2 years and says she couldn't have dont it without the help of WIA.
"This year we've already helped 500 people, 400 of them have gone to school and are getting training in new jobs," said MacAlphine.
Heflin's ultimate goal is to get her masters degree and with the help and training she's received from from WIA she believes she's prepared.
WIA also helps people put a resume together and provides coaching for job interviews.
"It was tough but I'm glad i got through it," she said.
To learn more about these services call the Job Center at (937) 225-5627.
