News Flash

Case Manager Links Senior to Safer Housing

Like many older adults, Michael was facing some challenges that come along with aging. At 85 years old, he was having trouble getting around. The mobility issues were further compounded by his limited vision. Then, to make matters worse, Michael was diagn...

Foster Mom Becomes a Head Start Teacher

One of the ways that foster families can help young children in their care is by enrolling them, at no cost, in Maricopa County’s Head Start program. Foster children automatically qualify for the program regardless of family income.

Recently, Mar...

Mom Facing Cancer Finishes Nursing School

Jennalee was a newly single parent of two young children trying to survive on one income when she reached out to Maricopa County’s Human Services Department. Determined to create financial security for her family, and the best possible future fo...

Food Delivery and Fixed Stove Helps Family Keep Faith

In a matter of only a few days, COVID-19 swept through Martha’s home making it impossible for her husband to go to work, for her to go grocery shopping, or for her kids to attend school. To make things even more difficult, the family’s...

Fast Action Averts Eviction

What a difference a day makes. Like many people affected by pandemic-related income loss and the rising cost of housing, Michelle had been struggling to pay her rent. She realized that she had to call for help to avert a crisis. Michelle applied for emerg...

Landlord Responds to Roy

Maricopa County Human Services Department employees often remark that one of the most rewarding aspects of their jobs is meeting and helping people in the community. Due to the nature of the services provided, sometimes the Human Services employees are me...

Financial Literacy Leads to a New Van for Family of 8

When many people think of Head Start, images of young children and brightly colored classrooms come to mind. For many families who participate in Maricopa County’s Head Start program, the brightly colored classrooms are just one aspect of the pr...

Home Rehab Removes Lead and Mold Hazards

Like most people, Rochelle didn’t really know much about old lead paint when she contacted the Maricopa County Human Services Department. She had an idea that it could be hazardous, but she didn’t exactly why or how. With five young ch...

Eviction Avoided After Open Conversation

Maricopa County’s Human Services Department provides many types of assistance to families and individuals facing adversity. In many cases, the employees within the Department work together with their colleagues to collectively solve problems and...

Mom and Child Start School on the Same Day

Rebecca was in the process of moving back to Arizona. She was looking for a job which also meant that she needed to find safe, reliable, and affordable childcare. By reaching out to Maricopa County, she was actually able to achieve both goals.

When Rebecca...

Password Problems Leads to Eviction Prevention

Having to reset an online password can be a little bit hassle for most people in the best of times, but when Lori needed to reset her password, it was an emergency.

Lori had been applying for emergency rental assistance when she mistakenly locked herself o...

Head Start Mom Joins Head Start Staff

As a single mom far with no family in Arizona, Irish didn’t have many places to turn for support as she tried to juggle work and her young daughter’s schooling. Irish’s daughter attended Maricopa County’s Head Start...

Single Parent of 9 Changes Careers

With nine children under her roof, Diane knew that she couldn’t continue to support her family with the minimum wage income she earned working at a group home, but she didn’t know what else to do. 

Knowing that she wanted to im...

From FAFSA to Pharmacy Technician

When Zohreh enrolled her young daughter into Maricopa County’s Head Start program, she hoped to start the little girl on a journey that would lead to higher education and a career. This was a path that she had not been able to pursue because her family ha...

Interview Coaching Clinches Career Connection

When a family member in Phoenix needed care, Brian left his home and job to relocate to the Phoenix area. Due to the amount of time, he needed to spend caring for his loved one, he realized he could no longer work a full-time job, so he began to search fo...

Grieving Grandma Gets Grief Support

Mike Wert knows that sometimes lending an ear can be as valuable as lending a hand. Through his work as a case manager with Maricopa County Human Services Department’s Senior and Adult Services Division, Mike is in a great position to lend eithe...

Absent Student Uncovers Parental Need

Byanca is a single parent with two young daughters. She was unemployed and struggling to pay her rent and bills. With barely enough money to cover her family’s basic needs, she couldn’t afford to buy gas for her car. Without gas, she c...

Diligent Dad Becomes a Dependable Driver

Despite earning a high school diploma and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from a college in Africa, 32-year-old James found himself working one job at a construction site and a second job at a warehouse just to make ends meet. Even ...

Virtual Classes Help Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient

When Edith learned that her pre-school-aged daughter would need a bone marrow transplant, she soon realized that the procedure would mean a lengthy hospital stay, blood transfusions, and an array of doctors and medicines for many months to come. It would ...

Clean-up Helps 86-Year-Old Feel Safer, Happier, and Healthier

Stanley, age 86, is a veteran and proudly independent. As he returned home from a stay in the hospital, his cousin in Flagstaff reached out to Maricopa County Senior and Adult Services when she realized he was no longer able to drive himself to the grocer...

County Partnership Outfits Students for Success in School

Imagine trying to get to school each morning without shoes, or with shoes that don’t fit. Maybe you have to wear the same clothes day after day because they are the only ones you have. Thousands of kids across Maricopa County don’t hav...

Lucy Masters the Art of the Interview

An interview with a potential employer is one of the most important aspects of a job search. For many people, it can also be one of the most daunting. While it’s common for people to be nervous about being interviewed for a job, being well-prepa...

Rental Assistance Saves Newborn, Parents from Living in Their Car

Justin was facing eviction. He worked in the fitness industry, so due to a downturn in clients from the pandemic, he was not making as much income as he had been. Money was tight and to make the situation even more complex – he and his wife were expecting...

84-Year-Old Brigitte Benefits from Re-Negotiated Rent

Like many Maricopa County residents who have seen the cost of their rent climb significantly this year, Brigitte’s rent was about to reach a level she was unable to afford. She was notified by the apartment complex that the rent for her unit was being inc...

Chance Meeting Leads to Employment, Housing

Nadia was unemployed and receiving nutritional assistance. The pandemic made it difficult for her to secure employment, so she was living with her family. This is what brought her in to seek assistance from ARIZONA@WORK on June 7, 2021. She wanted an oppo...

Career Services Expand into Libraries Across Maricopa County

With so many aspects of the world feeling a little unsettled these days, having stable, reliable employment can bring a sense of security and comfort. Recently, Erin came into the Maricopa County ARIZONA@WORK office in the Wickenburg Library looking at th...

JB Breaks the Cycle for His Twins

Meet JB. He has been incarcerated for 25% of his life. JB's father has been incarcerated for 20 years and his brother is serving a life sentence. He came to ARIZONA@WORK after being released from prison a few months earlier. When asked what brought him in...

Head Start Application Leads Single Mom to Help and Hope

Fleeing domestic violence and a longtime abusive relationship, Lorie didn’t know where to turn for help. She recently had moved herself and her two kids into her cousin’s one-bedroom apartment, which was also home to her cousin’s two children. To make mat...

Smart Solutions Reduce Risk for Senior at Home Alone

Like many older adults, Carolyn lives alone in her home with no nearby family or friends to check on her.  With a history of falling, Carolyn’s solo living situation presented a hazard. If she were to fall, it could potentially be days before any...

A Happy Ending for a Head Start Family

A hallmark of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs is connecting enrolled families to support services. Tacey Seymour, a Family Support Specialists, with Head Start knows what how important her role is to families. “As a Family Support Specialist ...

One-to-One Resume Assistance Helps Job Seeker Find Employment

Finding a good job can be difficult at the best of times. Debbie had the extra challenge of starting her search after being unemployed due to health concerns. When she finally was able to return to work, she turned to the Workforce Development Division of...

Cindy is Safer Thanks to Emergency Home Repairs

Due to limited social security income, Cindy was unable to make necessary repairs to her home. Cindy’s home had a roof leak and there were also plumbing issues that caused flooring problems. Cindy was unable to access her bathtub and needed some modificat...

A Housing Flip Lands Right Side Up for Marjorie

How much has your rent gone up? It’s a conversation happening around the dinner table for many families here in the Valley. As the fastest growing County in the United States, not only is the population rapidly rising in Maricopa County but so is rent.&am...