While living in Oklahoma, Tracee attended Pratt College and completed medical assistant training. She worked for several months in a doctor’s office before returning to Michigan in December 1998, to be near family and to provide a better life for her children. Now she was raising two children without child support, unemployed and living with her mother to save on housing costs.

In January 1999, to help provide for her family, Tracee turned to FIA for assistance. Through the Newaygo County FIA Tracee received Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits, food assistance and Medicaid.

Tracee had enjoyed working in the doctor’s office and was determined to regain employment in the medical field. When she was referred to Work First, she began an intensive job search in the medical community. One of Tracee’s major barriers to finding employment was her lack of transportation. Tracee’s Family Independence Specialist supported her job search efforts by driving Tracee to medical facilities for job inquiries and interviews.

Tracee found employment as a nurse’s assistant at Transitional Health Services. After she became employed, FIA supplied day care assistance. In May 1999,Tracee’s Work First provider, Michigan Works! Hope Network assisted her by purchasing a vehicle and car insurance. When the car was no longer road worthy, FIA provided transportation for Tracee through Volunteer Services.

On May 31, 1999, Tracee’s FIP case closed due to her earnings, she continues to receive Medicaid for her children, food assistance and child day care.