Through the Roscommon County FIA, Julie received Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits, Food Assistance and Medicaid.

To assist Julie in finding employment her Family Independence Specialist referred her to the Carter’s Plus grocery store in Houghton Lake. Julie applied for a job, interviewed and was hired part-time as a deli worker. To augment her income Julie obtained a second part-time job as a waitress, at Randy’s Country Kitchen. After 13 months, Julie’s cash assistance case closed due to her earnings.

Julie continued to work both jobs through the winter of 1998. In the spring, she began working full-time at Carter’s Plus and ended her employment at Randy’s Country Kitchen. She is still employed at Carter’s Plus today.

In the summer of 1998, Julie and her husband separated. During this period she had a difficult time finding housing and was struggling to keep her vehicle on the road. Although Julie had no immediate family in the area, she and her children were able to find temporary shelter at motels and with friends.

The FIA assisted Julie’s work efforts by arranging day care with a group home day care provider and when Julie was without transportation her supervisor at Carter’s Plus, gave her rides to work. Housing continued to be challenging for the summer, but by fall, Julie was able to secure a place to stay.

In December 1999, Julie’s work hours decreased and she once again applied to the FIA for cash assistance to provide for her family. When her employment stabilized, her FIP case closed in October 2000. Over the years, despite being eligible for FIP on several occasions, Julie has chosen to work additional hours at Carter’s Plus to augment her income.

Julie enrolled in classes at Kirtland Community College in 2002. To date, she has completed three full semesters and has earned the distinguished title of Phi Theta Kappa by maintaining a 3.85 grade point average. Additionally, Julie has recently been accepted in the Radiology Program at Mid-Michigan Community College in Harrison.