Grants and Programs for Women Returning to the Workforce in Connecticut
- Mothers who return to work after giving birth or raising a young child may need extra financial help with child-related costs, such as daycare or babysitting fees, to cover their working hours. Low-income families may qualify for services through Connecticut Head Start programs. Families who don't qualify for Connecticut Head Start or who need additional child care may need to apply for financial assistance through other organizations. The Moms Help nonprofit organization, for example, offers daycare subsidies for mothers who need help with payments to daycare providers when they start new jobs and haven't yet received initial paychecks.
- Women returning to work may need to update their professional skills and qualifications before they submit employment applications. Some women would like to pursue educational degrees but need financial aid to pay tuition costs at Connecticut schools. The American Association of University Women makes grants to women who already have bachelor's degrees but plan to pursue advanced degrees or change professional fields. AAUW particularly focuses on helping women who need to reenter the workforce and women of color. Recipients of AAUW career-development grants may use the funding to attend accredited colleges, universities and technical training in Connecticut.
- Connecticut women who would like to start their own businesses may need entrepreneurial training, financial information and other support to increase their chances of success. The Women's Business Development Council offers a variety of programs to women across the state. Connecticut women can use WBDC services to participate in business training and counseling, develop business plans and learn marketing strategies as they pursue their goals.
- Businesswomen may also find resources through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Though the agency does not provide direct grants to women, it does offer support in women's business ownership through district offices across the country. The Connecticut District Office helps aspiring and current business owners through informational resources, training, workshops and events. The Connecticut District Office can provide referrals to local lenders when women need small loans for start-up costs and related business expenses.
- Women who return to the workforce by starting their own businesses may also qualify for grants in specific fields or for support through specific initiatives. For example, Connecticut businesswomen who currently run or who would like to run environmentally friendly ventures should research Operation Fuel, an initiative of Project Best. Operation Fuel provides energy-conservation training and grants to small businesses in five Connecticut communities: Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, New London and Waterbury. The project particularly focuses on support for women-owned and minority-owned small businesses in Connecticut.