This document summarizes the story of Amy Dieffenbach, a single mother who was inspired by her grandmother to become a nurse. Amy struggled financially and wanted to provide a better life for her daughter, but could not afford to return to school. She learned about the WATCH Project, which provides support for people to pursue nursing careers. Amy scored below the required level on an initial skills test but studied diligently with help from the WATCH Project and improved her score. After taking some college courses, she was accepted to an LPN program. Amy credits the WATCH Project and her career coordinator for helping her pursue her dream of becoming an LPN to support her daughter.

1. WATCH works
Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health
For participants of CSIU WATCH Project FALL 2012
My Story: Persistence pays off!
“I am a single mom with a 7-year-old daughter
named Talara and have been a CNA for
four years. When I was introduced to the
WATCH Project, I was struggling with money
and wanted to provide a better life for my
daughter. Since I was young, my grandma
inspired me to be a nurse, and I
never wanted to do anything else.
I also always wanted to go back to
school, but could never afford it.
“One day, during a conversation with
a family member, she mentioned the
WATCH Project and explained how
it provided support for people to go
back to school for nursing. I was so excited when she
told me about it, I called the next day.
“The person I first talked to at the WATCH Project
was very nice and answered all my questions. I then
met with my career coordinator, Gaye, who told me
that I had to take the TABE test. When I took it, I
was very nervous because it was nothing like I had
expected. I got my results, and found I placed at an
8th grade level, but needed to place at least at an 11th
grade level to get WATCH Project support in an LPN
program.
“At the time, I was very upset that I didn’t do better,
but I knew I was out of my norm because I had been
out of school for 11 years. So I talked to Gaye who
suggested I enroll in the CSIU’s adult education
classes to study and to raise my test scores. I went
to the CSIU’s Adult and Family Learning Center and
“The WATCH Project
helped me pursue
my dream of
becoming an LPN.”
in this issue
FAFSA reminders.....................................2
Congratulations, graduates!................3
Regional dental care services..............4
met Sue Rosinski. Sue really worked with me.
I went faithfully three days a week, and did all
the homework Sue gave me. I was also able
to bring my daughter to the Family Literacy
program during the summer. They were very
good with her and she loved it there.
“After a few months of instruction, I
retook the TABE test and placed at a
12th grade level. I was excited that I
did much better, and Sue was, too. I
couldn’t have done it without her help.
“After passing the TABE test, I was
officially enrolled in the WATCH
Project, and applied to the Central Susquehanna LPN
Career Center in Lewisburg. I took the entrance exam
for the program, but did not score enough points to be
accepted.
“I was devastated again, and the first person I called
was Gaye. She reassured me that it would be okay
and suggested that I apply to Pennsylvania College of
Technology in Williamsport and take a few classes. I
took the placement test and the only thing I struggled
with was math, but overall did pretty well. I enrolled as
a part-time student and took three pre-nursing classes,
three times a week. continued on page 2

2. WATCH works 2
“Before I started classes, I worked third shift and
knew I couldn’t work all night and go to school all day.
So I looked for another job that would be flexible with
my school schedule. I was hired at Kramm Nursing
Home in Milton, and was still able to spend time with
my daughter.
“While at Penn College, the WATCH Project offered
multiple support services, and I completed the
semester with a 3.1 GPA earning two B’s and an A.
“I applied again at the LPN Center, studied hard and
passed the entrance exam. I was accepted into the
part-time program that begins in January 2013. I
chose the part-time program so that I can continue to
work at Kramm’s. I will be working toward my dream
and will still be able to support my daughter and
myself.
“While it may mean sacrifice for awhile, I know
in the long run that this is the best thing for my
daughter and me. I have worked really hard through
the good times and the bad to never give up and to
keep on going no matter how many times I failed at
something. The WATCH Project and Gaye, my career
coordinator, have helped me pursue my dream of
becoming an LPN.
“Every day that I go to school I think of my daughter,
and know that no matter how hard things can be, in
the long run, it is all worth it. To have my daughter
be proud of me the way she is now is wonderful. And
I’m teaching her no matter how bad things seem,
they can always get better if you believe in yourself,
are willing to work hard, and have a program like the
WATCH Project to help you.”
By Amy Dieffenbach, Watsontown
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Amy will begin classes at the Central Susquehanna
LPN Career Center in January 2013.
• Remember that you can
apply online for free
through the US Department
of Education at www.fafsa.
ed.gov. Be sure to save
your Personal Identification
Number (PIN)!
Getting ready to apply for financial aid for the 2013-14 school year? Here are a few things for you to keep in mind.
My Story: continued
FAFSA reminders
• To make completing the web application
easier, file your 2012 Income Tax forms first
and then use the online IRS Data Retrieval
Tool to complete your FAFSA.
• Print off and review the FAFSA worksheet
before completing the application.
• First-time filers should complete the
Pennsylvania State Grant Form (for PHEAA)
directly from the online FAFSA confirmation
page. Look for the link that reads “Optional
Feature—Start your state application—Click
here if you want to apply for Pennsylvania state-
based financial aid.”
• FAFSA deadlines are set by federal and state
agencies, as well as individual school financial
aid offices, and vary widely. Contact the
financial aid office of your school to learn when
your 2013-14 FAFSA application is due.
• To see the deadlines for PHEAA state grant
applications, visit www.pheaa.org.

3. Congratulations to recent graduates!
Corey Bohner
(Shamokin Dam)
and Heidi Pursel
(Bloomsburg)
graduated from
HACC’s CNA program.
Nicole Meter
(Pleasant Gap)
graduated from
Central PA Institute
of Science and
Technology’s CNA
program.
Jody Boyer
(Middleburg)
graduated from
HACC’s CNA
program.
Brittany Fida (Lock Haven), Jennifer
Carson (Renovo) and Wesley Strouse
(Lock Haven) graduated from Susque-
View Home’s CNA program.
Pictured are Dipak Sahoo
(Boalsburg) and Shannon
Druckemiller (McClure) who
graduated from Lewistown
Hospital’s RN program.
Nicole McEntire
(Williamsport) and
Candace Basey (Lock
Haven) graduated
from HACC’s CNA
program.
Elizabeth Harvey and
LaShawnta Nowlin
(both of Williamsport)
graduated from
HACC’s CNA program.
Pictured are graduates of Mifflin-Juniata Career
and Technology Center’s LPN program:
(from L to R): Melinda Hosler (Lewistown), Johnna-
Kay Bilger-Hoar (Lewistown), Ashley Korinchak
(Reedsville) and Angela Wagner (Belleville).
Maddy Winner (South
Williamsport), Rolando Calderon,
(Montgomery) and Alicia
Knittle (Hughesville) graduated
from Pennsylvania College of
Technology’s LPN program.
WATCH works 3
CENTRAL SUSQUEHANNA LPN
CAREER CENTER
Licensed Practical Nursing Program
Jamie Blackson, South Williamsport
Liliya Borisov, Lewisburg
Stacy Daniels, Williamsport
Amanda Fern, Williamsport
Tria Jones, Lewisburg
Ericka Kinney, Williamsport
Paula Merwin, Montandon
Jamie Smith, Shamokin
Mary Spotts, Mifflinburg
Sheena Vincent, Sunbury
Harrisburg Area
Community College (HACC)
Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Sherri Abbatiello, Danville
Susan Allen, Williamsport
Morgan Colpetzer, Lock Haven
Michael Fitzwater, Williamsport
Nysheer Glenn, Williamsport
Ashley Harman, Williamsport
Kristin Harris, Burnham
Amanda Heffner, Williamsport
Tabitha Ingram, Milton
Roxie Mannino, Reedsville
Kimberly McQuillen, Williamsport
Tiffany Minnich, Berwick
Ollya Reed, Berwick
Diamond Regan, Berwick
Heather Reppert, Coal Township
Bionca Styers, Williamsport
Brenna Thompson, McClure
Jessica Usefof, Northumberland
Amy Walker, West Milton
Mary White, McClure
NSB Trainers
Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Amber Travelpiece, Berwick
Pennsylvania college of
technology
Licensed Practical Nursing Program
Janice Rupert, Lock Haven
Congratulations to the following WATCH Project participants (not pictured) who recently graduated from nursing
programs at several regional educational institutions.

4. WATCHProject
90LawtonLane
Milton,PA17847
This document was supported by Grant #90FX0011 from the
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health
& Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility
of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of
HHS. Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health
(WATCH) is a Health Profession Opportunity
Grant and is administered by the Central
Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU).
WATCH works 4
Below is a list of providers who offer free or reduced-fee dental care to qualified individuals. Please contact
the provider prior to making an appointment to discuss services and payment options.
Lycoming County
Susquehanna Community Health &
Dental Center
469-471 Hepburn St, Williamsport
(570) 567-5430
Northumberland, Union and
Snyder Counties
Susquehanna River Valley Dental
Health Clinic
335 Market St, Suite 1, Sunbury
(570) 286-7500
Columbia and Montour Counties
The Dental Health Clinic
107 South Market St, Berwick
(570) 752-8753
Mifflin and Snyder Counties
Mifflin-Juniata Dental Clinic
31 S. Dorcas St, Compass Bldg., Suite E, Lewistown
(717) 447-1898
serving All PA Counties
HACC Dental Hygiene Clinic
Select Medical Health Education Pavilion,
Room 102, HACC Harrisburg Campus
(717) 780-2441
Regional dental care services available