New and in need of advise...please.

[bayareamommy]

Hello...

I am a newly single mother of 3 minor children. My hubby and I just separted and plan to get a divorce. All of our differences adn financial situation, finally took its toll and so here I am...single with children.

I have no idea what to do next. I have never worked full-time, just on and off (in the nursing field as a nursing assistant). It has been about 3 and half years though since I worked in a hospital and right now, I have been working for a home care agency, but they have no work for me (can you believe that even they are slow?!). This recession is kiccking everyone's behind, even the agency that I work for.

With that said, I need help. Help in trying to figure out what to do next. I feel lost and confused. I feel so stupid! Stupid for never getting my education. I always feared that this day would come, but I just hid in a rock and was in denial for a very long time. Now that reality has set in...I do not what to do!

Should I go to EDD office? Or welfare? I have no idea whre to go for help. I have been applying for jobs for a while now (since the agency I work for has barely, I mean, barely any work for me). I have nto had any luck in getting calls back from other employers.

Since I have not worked much, I do not think I even qualify for "underemployment" benefits...or do I?

I swear, I feel like the world has came down on me.

Do any of you have any advise for me? I would really appreciate it a lot!

Thank you SO much!

[heavenlydreamers]

Hi. You probably defidently qualify for MEDICAID for your kids! So go apply to that for sure! If they are under age 5 (I think is the limit) then you can get WIC as well.

That is as much as I know so far
I am figuring out foodstamps and hud housing, etc right now.

Hope it helped a little.
And totally go back to school!!! You can do it! I am in school, working and have two kids under 4yrs old. I am figuring out how to have my own place. I know there is a way! =)

Take heart. You can do it. We can do it!
Blessings,
Angela

[angelcat]

HI,

Number one YOU'RE NOT STUPID, You were probably staying home taking care of your children - putting them first like most of us now single moms have in the past. Apply for all the government help you can get right now - Maybe try your local town government office. They can probably lead you in the right direction. Also, you say that you've done nursing aid work. I work in a hospital in upstate NY and know that we are almost always looking for good nursing aids. Try applying to all your local hospitals. Childcare may become an issue for you, but if your soon to be ex can take care of the kids at night, look for a night shift. Our hospital also helps employees further their education with financial reimbursements. This might be an option to further your education and become an RN. I also know that our community college offers adult education classes through BOCES. For instance, you can become a phelbotomist in a few short months and costs about $2,000.00 - and maybe they even have programs for single moms.
Check it out.

I wish you the best of luck. I know how devastating and frightening it can be. Take each day as it comes and gather as much support - friends and family - around you.
There will be better days ahead. As that country song says, "When your walking through fire, keep on walking" Things will get better.

Anglecat

[SallySue15]

Hello,

One option, other than the great advice provided by heavenlydreamers and angelcat, would be to talk with your local Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS helps provide financial assistance for child care, child support assistance (if you do not already have an arrangement with your ex), temporary assistance for needy families (this is mainly assistance with paying utility bills, both heating and cooling).

This is the national website for the DHHS: http://www.hhs.gov/children/index.html (you will have to copy and paste into your browser).
You can also contact the local Health Department in your area to find the local DHHS office, or look up the contact information in the government section in the front of your telephone book.

Other than hospitals, you might consider checking with local nursing homes, and clinics, as I think that they are frequently in need of nursing assistants.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

Sally

[bayareamommy]

Thank you so much for all the advise. I will go in to the human services office and see what they say about helping me out.

I'm wondering if as a single mother with minor children, if they would pay for some type of vocational program? Does anyone here know if they do?

I was told by a friend that there is a proram that the president pass (or wants to pass?) about mothers going back to school or something like that?

I would like to go to a vaocational program and do a LVN program that way I am able to support my kids (living anywhere knowadays is expensive but living in California is even more!).

Any thoughts about vocational tuition being covered? There is no way on earth that I would be able to pay the amount that they charge. And to save up would take years.

Thanks!

[SallySue15]

Through the national DHHS there is a grant/funding page, and one of the categories is for education and training. This is the link to the national website:
http://www.hhs.gov/grants/
It would probably also be good to ask about educational funding when you talk with a representative from your local DHHS.

There are also Google advertisements on the SingleMomFinancialHelp.com/forum site for various different scholarships and grants for going to school. This one is Financial Aid for Single Moms: http://www.scholarships4moms.net/form.php?c=262641957&forcelp=&ga_medium=image&ga_s ource=1045&ga_name=Scholarships4Moms&ga_content=

This one is is College Grants for Moms:
http://www.classesandcareers.com/schooldegrees/openended.php?leadcat=stimulus-obama&CACP=SE_GG2_MM_MMGC_QQ_=snglmmfnnclhlp_cm_/OBAOELF&gclid=CLTo-8W8k6ACFQP7agodY2yHOQ

And this one is Grants for Women:
http://www.fileforgrants.com/?sid=51827&gclid=CNCM8d28k6ACFQ8Vawod2j8beA

Another good source for information on this subject is the non-forum portion of SingleMomFinancialHelp.com.

I hope that this information will help you!

Sally