Maricopa County approves $500,000 grant to renew ‘Workforce to You’ training after 72% completion rate

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a $500,000 grant from the governor's office to renew the Workforce to You accelerated job-training program for a second year after county presenters described a 72% completion rate. County staff said the program is being expanded into rural communities and focuses on medical administrative and medical billing and coding roles.

County presenters said Workforce to You began last year with programs in medical billing and coding and medical administrative assistant training and that the program's 72% completion rate is "well above the national average for federally funded workforce programs." Amy Altschul, Maricopa County's workforce development coordinator, described the program's services: "We revamped her resume. You know, we developed it, kinda brought it up to date. We did some mock interviewing, you know, practicing for, you know, sitting in front of somebody and and selling her skills and abilities." The presentation identified Queen Creek Library as a local site for workshops.

Participant Yafit Harris described personal outcomes after taking the program. Harris said she had spent seven years raising her three children and found it difficult to reenter the job market: "I had such a wonderful time raising them, But when I got out after 7 years out of the house, everything I did before was old." According to the presentation, Harris completed certification as a medical administrative assistant, landed a part-time job as a monitor with her homeowner association and enrolled in a second Workforce to You course, with the goal of obtaining a full-time medical record management position.

The presenters framed the program as part of local economic-development efforts to provide accelerated training for residents and to reach rural communities. The presentation indicated the county sought state support and that the Board of Supervisors approved the $500,000 grant from the governor's office to fund a second year; the transcript did not provide vote tallies or the motion language. Other operational details stated in the presentation include the focus areas (medical billing and coding; medical administrative assistant), the program start year (last year), and the completion-rate figure (72%).

No further formal directives, implementation timeline, or detailed budget breakdowns were specified in the remarks on the record. County presenters and the participant emphasized the program's role in helping residents update resumes, practice interviewing and obtain industry-recognized certifications.

Harris closed her remarks by expressing gratitude: "I'm so grateful. I'm beyond privileged. They teach you everything you need for the job."