NJ-10
A 27- year-old certified nursing assistant and single mother, living in Newark

Job Training
I recently applied for the medical assistant training. I went through the whole procedure of testing to qualify. I successfully passed both exams. Two days before the classes started, I was informed by the placement specialist that I did not qualify because I am a Work First participant and welfare does not pay for client tuition for a nine month training program. But in order for me to work, first I need the training that will allow me to obtain [a] job that will take care of me and my daughter.

Have you received job training recently? No

Employment
The jobs that are offered through the Work First program pay rates from minimum wage to $9, which is better than nothing if you are single. I know that the only way to make money is to have training in the field of your choice with experience, so you can get paid for what you know, not by what you don’t know. So when it comes to working to support a family, there’s no help for me at Work First.

Have you gotten a new job, increased work hours or earnings in the recent past? No

Child Care
My child care provider informed me that she hasn’t received payment for my daughter. The both of us contacted the current program and my case manager, and was told that my case was closed, and it’s now re-open and its going to take about three weeks before my child care provider will receive her payments.

Have you received child care assistance to help you get to work? No

Transportation
I enrolled in a job search program through Work First and I received a transportation check for the month of June but nothing for July, and I was told that I would receive a check. It is now going on the next month and I guess I will have to borrow money for transportation until I receive my grant to purchase my own bus card.

Do you have adequate transportation to get to and from work? No

Health
Currently, my daughter and I aren’t suffering from any health problems. Through my pregnancy with my daughter, I was on strict bed rest and I delivered at seven months. She was kept in the hospital for one week and she has been great ever since.

Do you and your family have a regular doctor who normally provides care? No

Health Care
I received Medicaid for my daughter and I right now, and its okay for now because I only use it for my daughter’s doctor appointments and my follow up care at my clinic.

Do you now have health insurance of any kind (including Medicaid)? No

Additional information
I successfully completed the Job Corps program in 1993. I obtained my GED and nursing aid certification in 1999. I went back to Job Corp to pursue my college education. I was given free college tuition through the Job Corps program, but I had to complete a receptionist course and left for college shortly after. I was only able to complete one semester successfully because my time in Job Corp was up. From there I moved back home to Newark, New Jersey, began working, had a child, [and] now this is where I am today.

Last question: I expect things for myself and my family to get much better.

Demographics:
Author’s community or neighborhood of residence: Newark, NJ
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Last year of school completed: G.E.D.
Race: N/A
Number of own children at home: N/A
Household size: 1 Child; 1 Adult
Does Author’s partner or spouse live in the household? No
Author’s gross cash earnings for previous calendar month: $0
Does Author currently receive any cash public assistance or welfare? Yes
Manner: Written by Author/Transcribed by collector