COUNTY PROGRAM TEACHES YOUNG PEOPLE
CRITICAL COMPUTER AND FINANCIAL SKILLS
Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro congratulates nearly two dozen local young people who completed the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS) “Computer Zone” computer training sessions. DCFS held two separate computer training sessions the past two weeks.
Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services partners with three local agencies – DCBOCES, Bridgeway Credit Union, and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce – to coordinate financial and computer training for our TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and foster care youth. The training teaches youth about budgeting and computer programs.
This week’s session, presented by Dutchess BOCES, taught 12 students about budgeting, employment, and computer skills, as well as the dangers of and appropriate use of the Internet and social media. Ten students last week learned about the college admission and selection process, among other lessons, in a session presented by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
County Executive Molinaro offered this to students: “Dutchess County is proud of your accomplishments so far, and we’re eager to see your future successes. The skills you’ve learned during this program, as well as the resources that have been made available, are key components in helping you reach your goals. As you embark on the next chapter of your lives, though, please continue the dedication that has gotten you this far, and remember you have many people rooting for your success.”
Between the ages of 16 and 19, the participants took part in the respective training sessions; most came from families that receive temporary assistance, while others were children currently in the foster-care system. Participants must achieve satisfactory attendance and satisfactory grades in school to qualify for the program.
At the successful completion of the courses, each participant earned a laptop computer and printer to help them pursue their goals of attending college or pursuing a career.
Now in its ninth year, the computer training program has served more than 200 young people.
Staff members from the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (left) and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (right) join some of the young graduates of the DCFS summer youth computer program.
