Grants for Mothers Returning to Work

Low-income mothers returning to work can get help to pay for expenses.

Mothers returning to work can get help to pay for child care, obtain new job skills and pay for transportation costs. Mothers transitioning off welfare as well as women who have worked primarily in the home, or displaced homemakers, are eligible for these services. Scholarships are also available for mothers who want to obtain an education to start their career.

Welfare to Work

The Welfare to Work Program helps low-income mothers transition off of government assistance into the workforce. Mother who receive government assistance are required to contribute a set amount of hours per week to Welfare to Work activities. These activities include volunteer work, employment, career counseling, or job search. Welfare to Work participants are eligible for help to pay for child care, transportation and health care during their transition to the workforce and up to 12 months after they are no longer eligible for government assistance.

WIA Program

The Workforce Investment Act helps displaced homemakers enter the workforce. Career services are provided at local One-Stop Centers. At these centers, employment seekers can speak with a career counselor, perform a job search or get assistance with writing a resume. The One-Stop Center also provides job referrals and the opportunity to practice interviewing skills. WIA also provides funding to help mothers transitioning to the workforce obtain gainful job skills in high demand career fields. The centers have a list of approved training providers that the mother can attend to obtain the job skills.

Child Care

The Head Start and Early Head Start Programs offer free child care services to low-income working mothers. The goal of the program is to provide education and nutrition services to children from low-income working families. Head Start Centers are located across the country. The Early Head Start Program is for children newborn to 3 years old. Head Start requires children to be ages 3 to 5. Parents are required to participate at their child's Head Start Center. You must meet income eligibility requirements to enroll your child in the program.

College Scholarships

The Association on American Indian Affairs’ Displaced Homemaker Scholarship helps mothers pay for the costs of a college education. Students can apply for a scholarship up to $1,500 to help pay for tuition, books, child care or transportation. To qualify for a scholarship, the applicant must be enrolled in their tribe and have at least one-quarter Indian blood. Community colleges also offer scholarships for mothers who want to develop new job skills. Lansing Community College in Michigan provides grants for displaced homemakers to pay for tuition, textbooks and transportation costs. You must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for the grant.

References

• Agency for Workforce Innovation: Welfare Transition Program
• Employment Development Department: Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
• Lansing Community College: Single Parent, Displaced Homemaker
• Westchester Community College: Displaced Homemaker Retraining
• Association on American Indian Affairs: Undergraduate Scholarships