Introduction
India is currently employed by a home health care company as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) earning $8.25 per hour. She is a single parent, raising a 3-year-old son, and struggling to get by financially each month. She is on public assistance and has moved back home with her mother, who has significant health issues. India knows that as her child ages, he will need more support than she can currently provide. She is seeking employment to earn a higher wage, but so far has not been successful.
Additionally, India dropped out of high school after becoming pregnant, and knows that obtaining her GED will be necessary to enroll in further educational opportunities. She recently enrolled in adult education classes to earn her GED and Gold WorkKeys certificate.
Will it be possible for India to find a better paying job so that she can support herself and her son?
Where does she begin?
Task
India's long term goals include:
1) Securing a permanent job as a Personal Care Assistant, earning a sustainable income
2) Ceasing SNAP benefits
3) Obtaining a Habitat House for her family
4) Having the access and means for future educational and training opportunities, including an LPN diploma
India's short-term goals include:
1) Remaining in adult education night classes for her GED and Gold WorkKeys certificate
2) Successfully complete CNA training
2) Enrolling in the WIOA Program for training, career planning, and assistance
3) Accessing the Community Resource Guide for support services available
4) Enrolling in Aiken Tech for PCA training
Process
I. India contacted the adult education office for information on enrolling in GED classes. She will continue working as a CNA while attending night school. Her goal is to obtain her GED and a 6.0 level WorkKeys certificate.
II. India visited her local SC Works office for assistance in searching for a higher paying job. She will proceed as follows:
1) Register in SC Works by creating a login
2) Create a resume' to be entered into the SC Works system
3) Search for weekly "Hot Jobs" posted by SC Works
4) Meet with SC Works assigned career planner and create an Individual Employment Plan
5) Complete the Career Cluster Inventory on www.scois.net to confirm interest in the healthcare industry
6) Determine the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for a PCA position;
7) Determine the tools, technology, training required for PCAs
8) Determine the education and work experience needed for PCAs
9) Research SC Labor Market information to determine the wages and job outlook for a PCA position in South Carolina
10) After obtaining her WorkKeys certificate, enroll in the WIOA program focusing on the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) career cluster
11) Enroll at ATC for 18 months of PCA training
12) Utilize the Aiken Community Resource Guide for utility bill assistance and contact DSS to arrange for childcare
13) Continue visiting SC Works center to meet with case manager; attend soft skills training workshops
14) Interview with health care providers
15) Obtain employment as a PCA earning a sustainable income
16) Discontinuing SNAP benefits
17) Contact Aiken Housing Authority to learn how to qualify for low income housing placement
18) Eventually obtain a Habitat House and LPN diploma
Evaluation
In order to be successful in achieving her goals, India will need to do the following:
1) Obtain her GED and Gold WorkKeys certificate while continuing to work as a CNA
2) Complete ATC Personal Care Assistant training classes
3) Secure long-term job placement
4) Earn a sustainable income
5) Take advantage of future training opportunities available, including LPN diploma
6) Have career sustainability and chances for advancement
7) Be removed from public assistance
8) Become financially independent
9) Obtain affordable housing through the Habitat for Humanity program
Conclusion
India will obtain her GED and WorkKeys by December, 2016. She will enroll in PCA training at Aiken Tech in spring, 2017, and plans to complete this training in 18 months. She continues to return to SC Works to meet with her career planner for updating her resume, attending workshops on soft skills and interviewing strategies, and learning effective techniques for successful job searches. After obtaining job placement with a sustainable income, India plans to be removed from public assistance. Additionally, she will continue periodically visiting her SC Works case manager for 12 months for follow-up. She also plans to pursue affordable housing and live independently, providing for her son. India's ultimate goal is to obtain a LPN associate degree from ATC.