Relocation with a preschool age child?

I’m finally divorced from my abusive ex, with full custody of my child, but it has left me completely financially drained and feeling like I’m without options, especially where I am now. I moved back to my hometown when we separated, but only planned on staying a year - the divorce took two, and finding work took so long that by the time I did find a position I’d burned through all the savings I had left (which was not much, as my ex drained my savings and confiscated most of my monthly salary throughout our marriage). My work doesn’t pay well and although I receive childcare assistance and WIC and live as cheaply as I can, now I’m close to actually going into credit card debt just to live. The biggest problem is that I’m in a high COL but rural area; jobs are limited and don’t pay much, but basic expenses are very high. This town is also, quite frankly, not good for my mental health even under better conditions. The nearest bigger city is too far away to commute to for work.

I know that now has got to be the worst possible time to try relocation or a career change, but I need to have something to work towards for the future; it’s all starting to feel very hopeless. I do have a liberal arts BA and some teaching and clerical experience (I am not certified to teach in any state and was unable to compete the required student teaching for my certificate program because of my relocation). I would be happy to go back to school for something that could provide more stability or more work opportunities if I could figure out a way to make it work. My ex is not in the picture or in the country and does not pay child support. Has anyone had success relocating away from family with a young (preschool age) child and finding work/childcare in a new area that had better job opportunities or a lower COL?