Job Training
The experience that I had with job training was I tried applying and they did not let me because

I was young. Now that I’m in 12th grade, they are helping me get to know more about what I need to know about jobs.

Have you received job training recently? No

Employment
My recent experience I have not had one for the same reason of my age. Once I go to 12^th grade in the job trainings, I’m going to have them. They are going to be polite to give me a job or try to look for one. Hopefully I would know more about the life of being employed.

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

Child Care
I was in a program. My mom told that they would take long in the checks. They told us in the beginning that if we send the forms of what month and the days, they would send us the checks right away. And they would have problems with that because sometimes mail was late. Or they would say it was us. So my mom decided not to get that anymore. It was too much because sometimes we would have to go to their office. And sometimes we would have hard times getting transportation. But we probably will get back. My mom ain’t working and we do not have [money] for the bills.

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

Transportation
My transportation so far, my mom has been transporting me to where I want to go or need to go. So far, in school, the bus has been picking me up and sometimes my mom, not really but once in a while. I do not have a driver’s license but in 12^th grade they’re willing to give it to me. So like that I would have transportation whenever I get my diploma. And go to my job.

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

Health
Of my health, so far it’s been good and my son’s health. I have not had problems with me or my son’s. I have not had to stop going to school. I have my mom to help me out sometimes. I do not have problems having to pay anything ‘cause I have Medicaid. It’s good for me and my son.

Do you and your family have a regular doctor who normally provides care? Yes

Health Care
On the health care, Medicaid has helped us a lot. I had sometimes problems but not a lot. Sometimes I have to buy one or two medicines, but with health care, I’m satisfied because it helps a lot. Medicaid has everything we need. Those payments have helped in serious problems.

Do you now have health insurance of any kind (including Medicaid)? Yes

Additional Information
My successes in life were … they were, [you] know, me and mom could understand each other a lot more. She tells me stuff that I would care less, and now I understand, ‘cause I[‘m] being more mature in life. She shared [with] me a lot of things I did not know about. She made me think.

Last Question
I expect things for myself and my family to get better.

Demographics
Author’s community or neighborhood of residence: Edinburg, TX
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Last year of school completed: 11^th
Race: Hispanic
Number of own children at home: 1
Household size (enter appropriate numbers): 4 Children; 2 Adults
Does Author’s partner or spouse live in the household? Yes
Author’s gross cash earnings for previous calendar month: $174
Does Author currently receive any cash public assistance or welfare? Yes
Manner: Written by author