Workforce System Success Stories - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Patti was working the overnight shift as a House Manager for a local recovery agency when she decided to check out her local American Job Center and meet with an Employment and Training Consultant (ETC)here. Patti was interested in pursuing the career goal of becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). She was happy to learn she already accumulated the prerequisite 500 documented work/volunteer hours to participate in the training program to become certified. Her ETC worked with her to apply for a spot in a new CPRS training cohort being run through the Frederick County Workforce System (FCWS). She was delighted when she learned that she was among those selected to participate. Not only that, but Patti also laid plans to participate in an adult education program to prepare to earn her GED®.

The CPRS cohort included classroom training through a training vendor, as well as support provided by Frederick Community College (FCC) to enhance her overall skills and marketability. FCC courses covered the Microsoft Office suite and business communications. FCWS staff supported Patti for the duration of her career and academic training and provided her with coaching on resume writing and interviewing skills. FCWS staff worked with Patti to put together a budget that allowed her to pay off traffic tickets so that she could reinstate her driver's license and save enough money to receive a car from FCWS partner program, Second Chance Garage.

All of the hard work was worth it. Patti earned a certification from the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board, and quickly landed a position as a CPRS. She also received her GED®. Today, Patti has stable employment, a place to live, and a car of her own. Her story is one of determination and how workforce system partnerships can help people like Patti move forward in life.