Education for parents receiving Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF)

WorkFirst eligibility

You must be:

  • A parent of a child 18 years or younger, pregnant, or other qualifying family member.
  • Currently receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), cash assistance from DSHS.
  • Approved for education or training and referred by your DSHS WorkFirst Program Specialist (case manager).

 

Educational programs available

Basic education

  • Improve fundamental skills for work-related purposes.
  • Strengthen math & English skills.
  • High school equivalency/GED
  • Adult high school completion
  • Career exploration

Job skills training

  • Prep classes for professional-technical certificates
  • Upgrade job skills
  • Computer training

Vocational education (certificates and degrees)

  • Accounting & finance
  • Business administration
  • Computer information systems
  • Computer science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Criminal justice
  • Early childhood education
  • Economics
  • Massage therapy (selective entry)
  • Medical assisting (selective entry)
  • Office administration
  • Paralegal
  • Physical therapist assistant (selective entry)
  • Nursing (selective entry)
  • Software development
  • Substance Use Disorder Professional
  • Visual communications

 

Transfer Degrees (EXCLUDING: general studies and liberal studies degree)

Next steps

  1.  Apply for TANF or call 877.5010.2233.
  2. Contact your DSHS WorkFirst Program Specialist (case manager) to ask if you are eligible to be referred to WCC's WorkFirst program.
  3. Develop a plan with your DSHS case manager. Ask your case manager for a referral to WCC. 
  4. Contact the WorkFirst staff at Whatcom