| There probably isn't a single (in all contexts of the | | | | Housing and Urban Development agency has a special |
| word) working mother who doesn't dream about | | | | program that can help reduce housing costs. Called |
| improving the future - for herself and her family - by | | | | Section 8, if a parent is determined to be eligible, the |
| getting a college degree, professional certificate or | | | | agency will provide rental or other housing assistance. |
| something similar. Yet it seems each time she looks at | | | | Then there is Temporary Assistance for Needy |
| her expenses, the self-same person is left feeling it's | | | | Families (TANF). This program provides temporary aid |
| only a fantasy, one too out of reach to achieve. For | | | | to for other basic living expenses, provided there are |
| the record, this includes single working fathers, too. | | | | children involved. |
| The fact is that over the last several years federal | | | | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - This |
| agencies at all levels, as well as a number of private | | | | government agency will help working parents with |
| societies and public corporations, are stepping up to | | | | other basic costs. Key to working parents is two |
| rectify this situation. They are offering everything from | | | | programs. The first, Kids Now!, offers free or low-cost |
| college tuition and fees, to even such basic support | | | | health insurance to children. Then there's the Low |
| such as child care, rent relief and more. | | | | Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). It |
| A good place to start is consulting with the career | | | | will help with utilities, particularly if there are children |
| counselor at an online college. Not only are the tuition | | | | involved. |
| and fees of these educational facilities markedly lower | | | | Private Charities - National organizations such as the |
| than brick-and-mortar schools, but a working parent | | | | Sunshine Lady Foundation and CoAbode are also out |
| can schedule their classes around their jobs, taking | | | | there to help parents achieve their goals. Just |
| care of their families and the everyday pressures of | | | | remember each one offers specific assistance for |
| life in general. They can also assist in getting financial | | | | different groups. For example, Sunshine Lady helps |
| assistance to cover the enrolling at the school. | | | | educate victims of domestic violence by enabling them |
| From there, the next important step is filling out a Free | | | | to continue their education. CoAbode teams up single |
| Application for Free Student Aid (FASFA) form. This is | | | | parents with others to share housing and expenses. |
| a financial statement breakdown the parent's situation, | | | | Another excellent source to find more information is |
| including income, taxes and expenses. It will help | | | | just a phone call away. Dialing 211 will hook up a |
| determine the parent's level of need, which in turn will | | | | working parent to all manner of help. After all, when all |
| determine the scholarships, grants and loans one can | | | | is said and done, helping a single parent into a better |
| get. Here's a few of basic services one can also apply | | | | paying job not only helps the family, but the country as |
| for: | | | | a whole. |
| HUD Section 8 & TANF - As it happens, the U.S. | | | | |