JAY — Legal studies, certified nursing assistant and Central Maine Community College courses are now available from Spruce Mountain Adult and Community Education.

Eileen Miazga, the new director of the program, has collaborated with other adult education directors and researched how to bring as many educational opportunities to the area as possible.

The Spruce Mountain program can provide remedial help or prepare students for a high school diploma or GED when someone wants to go further in education.

One of the major, multi-week programs offered is Getting Ready for College. The first 10-week session begins on Oct. 17. Adults who want to participate must commit to the 10-week program and read at a 10th-grade level. If reading skills aren’t up to that level, Spruce Mountain teachers can provide remedial help so students may enroll in the January session.

Getting Ready for College is offered at no cost and is funded through a Finance Authority of Maine grant.

It provides help in reading, writing, math and technology skills, helps students explore entrance assessments, financial aid, scholarships and more.

Miazga has wanted to offer college courses at the Jay site for adult students who complete their GEDs and want to move into a college program and for people who want to change or start a new career.

“Our workforce needs to keep up with the world of business,” Miazga said.

Two CMCC courses will be offered in January, one on the north campus in Jay and one on the south campus in Livermore Falls. Although the specific courses have not yet been determined, they are likely to be English composition, college math, or U.S. history. Spruce Mountain High School secondary students who qualify may also take these college courses.

To enroll in a CMCC course, people must contact the college online at www.cmcc.edu

The paralegal course, which also has a fee, will provide a certificate of completion that can lead to a good-paying job, Miazga said. It is offered through the Center for Legal Studies and will be available at the Jay campus if five or more students sign up. If a fewer number enrolls, the course can be completed online with monitoring by adult education teachers.

The certified nursing assistant course is funded through a Maine Health Care Grant and begins Oct. 22 and goes for 18 weeks.

Spruce Mountain adult education is in partnership with the RSU 9 adult education program. RSU 73 area students would attend Monday and Thursday classes from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in Jay and Fridays in Farmington. Clinicals will be offered at Franklin Memorial Hospital and Edgewood Nursing Home in Farmington, the Harris House in Livermore Falls and at a nursing home in Turner.

Miazga is working to find funding for a second CNA course for spring.

The Spruce Mountain Adult and Community Education program also offers enrichment and academic classes, runs a book club for new adult readers Monday mornings, offers English classes for immigrants and provides other opportunities for adults.

“We’re trying to meet the needs of the community,” Miazga said.

For information on any of the programs call 897-6384 or log on to www.rsu73.maineadulted.org.