The state of Arizona, according to the Population Reference Bureau has a 37% children population under the age of 18 living with single parents. Over 26% of the total population of the state is under the age of 18 as per the survey 2009. With a high percentage of children living in crowded housing, bring up your child, as a single parent in the state of Arizona can be a challenging task. With a low per capita income standing at $ 33,029 the stake ranks poorly at 40 out of the 50 US states as per our ranking.
Childcare: The Arizona Department of Economic Security runs specialized childcare programs to assist families fulfilling eligibility criterion. The program assists single parents and low-income families with monetary support for bringing up the child. The service also offers specialized childcare centers, where unemployed parents can get childcare services for their children when they are off to wok. Under the same department, a child protective service is also run to prevent children from abuse and neglect.
Healthcare: The state Medicaid agency of the State of Arizona called ADCCCS runs a Kinder Care program called Arizona’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). To be eligible to participate in the above program, the applicant needs to be: a resident of Arizona, under the of 18, a resident or qualified immigrant of the United States, have a social security number, under the required income limit, not covered under another heath insurance scheme, and a member of the household that is willing to pay the premium. For single parents, there is also another special scheme known as Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) run by the same agency for individuals who meet certain income criterions.
Food & Supplies: The Arizona Department of Health Services also runs the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for its residents. This program, funded by the federal government helps in providing nutritious food supplies to the qualifying categories. The primary target audience of the agency are pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who have had a baby in the last 6 months, infants and children under the age of 5.
Rent assistance: Rent can be one of the biggest expenses you end up paying when bringing up your kid as a single mother. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development offers affordable housing in the state of Arizona that can be a viable option for single mothers looking at affordable housing. Use the Affordable apartment search tool for the state of Arizona to look for housing based on your city and county of residence. Another alternative is the Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers Section 8 housing program, which helps low-income families with their hosing needs.
Educational grants: For single mothers looking for further education opportunities in the state of Arizona, the state offers outstanding opportunities in terms of educational programs that are both rewarding and affordable. The state boasts of three state universities and various private and community college that offer a wide array of choice for scholars to chose from. To qualify for federal aid, you can also apply for FAFSA.
Transportation: The Arizona Transit Association offers various public transport options that provide a comfortable and efficient transportation system within the state.
