Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, October 28, 2005

Education program wins award

Herald staff

 EVERETT - A program that helps Snohomish County job seekers earn their General Educational Development certificates was honored this week.

The EAGER (Entry, Assessment, GED, Employment, Retention) program on Wednesdayreceived one of six Governor's Awards for best practices in work-force development.

"We are so proud," said Marilynn Abrahamson, coordinator of the area's WorkFirst welfare reform program.

In north Snohomish County, one-third of adults on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families have not graduated from high school or earned their GED - a stumbling block to finding employment.

As a pilot project during the last school year, EAGER participants got a reprieve from job-seeking requirements so they could focus solely on their studies. The program helped 75 clients earn their GEDs, a 68 percent success rate, while 55 percent found jobs within one academic quarter.

The goal remains to help 100 adults earn their GEDs, Abrahamson said. The first certification ceremony this school year is today, with 10 participants so far.

Along with WorkFirst and the state Department of Social and Health Services, partners in the program are the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; the state Employment Security Department; Everett Community College; the Sky Valley Community Service Office; the Smokey Point Community Service Office; the Snohomish County Workforce Development Council; and the state Office of Financial Management.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA