AAANF, Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc

*Area Agency on Aging for North Florida (aka Advantage Aging Solutions) serves the public through the Elder Helpline and website as a network of information, referral and assistance to seniors, caregivers, professionals, and general public *SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Senior Wellness, Caregiver Support, and prescription assistance *EHEAP - Utility assistance (heating and cooling only, not water) for seniors 60+ who already have or are about 5 days away from a disconnect notice and meet federal income guidelines; assistance consists of screening, information and referrals to other agencies such as Elder Care in Leon and Senior Centers in outlying counties; callers given thorough explanation of eligibility and what to expect when contacting agencies; utility payment assistance may be sporadic due to variations in funding *Agencies they refer to may run out of funds before the end of the month *Assistance may be available once per cooling season and once per heating season *Provides elder services during disasters *Assist individuals with accessing Medicaid Long Term Care and other home and community based services *Area Resource Directory at https://www.

Services: Adult Education, Area Agencies on Aging, Caregiver Counseling, Disaster Relief Services, Prescription Expense Assistance, Utility Service Payment Assistance

Big Bend Technical College

*GED preparation and testing *Career and technical programs including welding, cosmetology, administrative office specialist, patient care technician and nurse assistant, welding technology advanced, digital media/multi-media design, electronic technology one, electronic instrumentation one and two, millwright: industrial installer and mechanic one and two, and industrial multi-craft technician

Services: Adult Basic Education, Employment Preparation, GED/High School Equivalency Test Instruction, Vocational Education

CareerSource, Gulf Coast, Bay, Franklin and Gulf Counties

*Offers access to employment-related services in one central location *Maintains list of local job openings; provides job search assistance; offers resource room with free computer, copy and fax machine for job searching; free job seeker workshops *Provides veteran's job search help including supportive services; includes family members *Unemployment claims process: www.

Services: Employment Preparation, Ex-Offender Employment Programs, GED/High School Equivalency Test Instruction, Job Finding Assistance, Tutoring Services

Community Action Agency, Getting Ahead

3/4/2024: NO FUNDING AVAILABLE AS OF APRIL 7, 2023 *Program consists of two components including a 15-week class called Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by World; then upon completion, participants shift to the Staying Ahead Program where they are paired with 2 mentors who meet regularly for about 6 months to advise, counsel and encourage *Program assists with GED, trade/vocational education, higher education to improve opportunities for jobs with a livable wage; employability skills, and opportunity to participate in the Agency’s On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program; job placement, coaching, and counseling; ongoing counseling, monitoring, and support from a case manager/social worker to ensure continued progress toward family self-sufficiency goals; multiple opportunities for crisis/emergency assistance during the first year (rent, utilities, food vouchers, transportation, childcare) based on the availability of resources *Participants meet once a week in a relaxed discussion type atmosphere and class members work closely with Career Source, TCC and Lively Vocational School; funding may be available to pay for tuition, books, job training, childcare on a case by case basis *Call for more information about class dates and times *Persons interested in becoming a mentor may fill out an application on website or call to volunteer

Services: Career Counseling, Child Care Expense Assistance, Economic Self Sufficiency Programs, Employment Preparation, Financial Literacy Training, GED/High School Equivalency Test Instruction, Mentoring Programs, Personal Financial Counseling, Vocational Education, Volunteer Opportunities

DBPR, Barber and Cosmetology Boards

*Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates many professional individuals and businesses, inspecting and re-licensing them annually ranging from architects to electrical engineers and real estate salesmen *Information for cosmetologists and barbers on licensing requirements and HIV/AIDS education courses to maintain, renew or acquire licenses *24/7 online service available once an initial account set up and activated

Services: AIDS/HIV Prevention Counseling, Continuing Education, Licensing/Certification/Accreditation

First Baptist Church, English/ASL Language Instruction

*Prepares for TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) *Hosts Conversational English for Internationals *Teaches citizenship classes *Free beginner American Sign Language instruction: Only cost is purchase of study book

Services: Citizenship Education, English as a Second Language, Sign Language Instruction

Franklin County Schools

*Pre-K to grade 12, alternative school at district office, and a pre-K through 8th grade charter school in Apalachicola *Exceptional student education for students with disabilities, home education program *Adult education, GED classes and tests

Services: Adult Basic Education, GED/High School Equivalency Test Instruction, School Districts

Gadsden County Public Library System

*Standard library services at 3 locations, a bookmobile, multimedia books, DVD's, large print books, computer/internet access *Children's services include story time, class visits, outreach Library programs and story times at after school programs, summer camps and daycares, Lego Robotics, Science Nights, Parent and Child Play Time, and Summer Reading Programs, Free e books on library website *Literacy instruction and for adults 18 and older, taught by volunteers, has large selection of literature for adult beginners; trains volunteers as tutors and matches them with students; computer and other adult education courses available if funding permits *Direct connection in Quincy library via a video terminal now allows visitors to speak directly with a Social Security employee in Tallahassee; call to find out days and hours this service is available *Other Branches: *Chattahoochee, Cowen Library, 300 Maple St 32324 *Havana, 203 E 5th St 32333

Services: Adult Basic Education, Computer Literacy Training Programs, Library Services, Literacy Programs, Public Internet Access Sites, SSI, Volunteer Opportunities

Goodwill Industries Big Bend, Career Training Center

*Free career development training and life skills classes serving anyone 16 and up; clients do not have to have disabilities or special needs *Adult basic education and GED classes *Employment skills in career counseling, resume writing, interviews and clothing choices; may also assist with clothing once a job is obtained; computer lab offering self-directed courses in Microsoft programs *Other training location in Quincy

Services: Adult Basic Education, Computer Literacy Training Programs, Employment Preparation, GED/High School Equivalency Test Instruction, Life Skills Education

Harrell Memorial Library, Liberty County

*Offers library services: books, CD's, references, book discussion groups, child and youth programs, resource assistance services for homebound persons *Large print and talking books/magazines, magnifier aids for vision, hearing and other disabilities *Computers and computer classes available to public; exam proctoring *Offers literacy and ESL help, math kits with books and activities for parents to complete with their Pre-School and Kindergarten aged children *Other location Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library, 22149 NE SR 20, Hosford, 32334 *Bay County Public Library in Panama City headquarters of Northwest Regional Library System (NWRLS)

Services: Computer Literacy Training Programs, English as a Second Language, Library Services, Literacy Programs, Public Internet Access Sites, Test Proctoring