Developing Skills and Confidence through Financial and Consumer EducationPlan of Work

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Hardin County CES

Title:
Developing Skills and Confidence through Financial and Consumer Education
MAP:
Enhancing Financial Literacy and Consumer Awareness
Agents Involved:
Fentress, Aldenderfer, Stillwell, Adams, DeRamus, Jolly, Shepherd
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Financial Education - General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Family and Consumer Science
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Small Farm Management
Situation:

17% of Hardin County families with children live below poverty., and 10.4% of those age 65 and older do so. Hardin County’s official poverty rate is 13.8%, which is just under the state rate at 18.2%

The Urban Institute estimates that 20% people in Hardin County with a credit bureau record in 2016 had student loan debt compared to 16% for the state.

Between 2012 and 2016, 2.8% (+/-0.7%) of workers ages 16 and over who worked full-time year round were below poverty compared to 3.5% (+/- 0.1%) for the state as a whole.

40.8% of principal agriculture operators rely on their farm income as their primary occupation. Total farm expenses for Hardin County was $42,660 compared to $62,002 for the state. 984 hired farm labor workers worked on 278 farms, providing additional expenses for those land owners.

The estimated food insecurity rate for Hardin County is 14.1%, compared to 15.5% for the state

County Extension Council identified financial management as their top priority across all program areas for Hardin County. They specifically, using data from the Community Assessment, encouraged agents to provide information and programs on budgeting and financial management across all program areas, specifically farmers and youth; consumer awareness and consumer education, specifically for the agriculture industry; educational marketing to increase sales of agricultural commodities to be able to compete against modern and new marketing of plant based options.

Positive personal finance behaviors prepares Kentuckians for any future economic shift. The United States has been in an extremely long period of economic expansion; however, expansions are cyclical, meaning growth is eventually followed by recession. Securing financial stability for Kentuckians will help families thrive no matter the economic outlook. Financial stability is achieved when families are able to secure and manage resources needed to supply food, clothing, and shelter. Through increased financial knowledge, families may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, avoid overextended credit, develop savings habits, and manage risks.

Long-Term Outcomes:

For those who attend programs or workshops, or receive financial education through Cooperative Extension to maximize or extend resources to maintain or increase finances.


For the number of individuals reporting improved family financial stability and economic well-being to increase.


For individuals to avoided breaches in personal or financial security.


For individuals to have improved the quality of their life resulting in a stronger family.


Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD

Long Term Outcomes


Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD


Intermediate Outcomes:

For participants who attend programs or workshops, and those receiving financial education to:


Adopt one or more short, mid and long term financial planning strategies.

Practice one or more resource management behavior(s) resulting in increased savings or investments

Apply practical living skills to advance education or employability

Examine personal and financial stability on a regular basis (at least annually).


Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD

Intermediate Outcomes


Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD

Initial Outcomes:

Teenagers and adults will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources. (Social marketing and Program participants)

Participants will increase understanding of consumer rights and privacy protection measures.

Teens and young adults will simulate life situations to recognize importance of education and employability skills.

Participants will identify short, medium and long term personal goals and objectives related to maintaining and improving their financial stability



Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD

Initial Outcomes

Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Teenagers and adults will show increased knowledge and skills related to managing available financial and non-financial resources.

Indicator: Initial evaluation results after financial education is given, whether through a program or workshop or through newsletters, social media, or more.

Method: Evaluations provided with packaged curriculum programs from FCS specialists.

Timeline: Immediately after education is given.


Intermediate Outcome: Adopt one or more short, mid and long term financial planning strategies.

Indicator: That one has implemented a budget, began using cash envelope system, opened a checking/savings account, etc...

Method: Follow up evaluation

Timeline: 3 - 6 months after financial education


Long-term Outcome: For the number of individuals reporting improved family financial stability and economic well-being to increase.

Indicator: Families that report following a budget, living within their means, saving more money, and feeling more financially secure because of the financial education received through Cooperative Extension.

Method: Follow Up evaluation

Timeline: 1 year after financial education



Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD


Outcome: 

Indicator: Number of individuals with increased knowledge of overall banking skills. 

Method: Pre & Post-test, Surveys, Phone calls, Testimonials, Emails, pictures

Timeline: October 2020-November 2022 (Adults)

Summer Camp (June 2021-July 2021), (June 2022-July 2022)


Outcome: 

Indicator:  Number of individuals making informed consumer decisions about their personal finances. 

Method: Pre & Post-test, Surveys, Phone calls, Testimonials, Emails, pictures

Timeline: October 2020-November 2022 (Adults)

Summer Camp (June 2021-July 2021), (June 2022-July 2022)


Outcome: 

Indicator: Number of individuals applying skills that they learned to a college degree program or to a career after high school.  

Method: Pre & Post-test, Surveys, Phone calls, Testimonials, Emails, pictures

Timeline: October 2020-November 2022 (Adults)

Summer Camp (June 2021-July 2021), (June 2022-July 2022)


Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD



Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Money Habitudes Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Money Habitudes

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, high school classrooms, Money Habitudes cards

Date: 2020-2021 school year, 2021-2022 school year, 2022-2023 school year, 2023-2024 school year 


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Estate Planning Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Estate Planning

Inputs: FCS Specialist (family finance and resource management), curriculum publications and resources, and local partners such as an attorney, CPA and/or financial planner

Date: 2022


Audience: Adults, young adults, and teens

Project or Activity: Credit Education 

Content or Curriculum: Good Credit Game

Inputs: FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, Good Credit Game set, Library, high school classrooms

Date: 2021-2024


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Financial and Consumer Education Day

Content or Curriculum: Where Does Your Money Go?, farm specific budgeting apps/programs

Inputs: FCS agent, Ag agent, curriculum and resources, local banks, local farm organizations, ag marketing specialist

Date: 2021


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Piggy Bank Design Contest + education at Design Day about earning, spending and saving

Content or Curriculum: Building a Healthy/Wealthy Future, America Saves information, Captain Cash curriculum

Inputs: CES agents, local banks, United Way, CES publications and resources, America Saves resources, captain cash curriculum

Date: November


Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD

Project or Activity: Life Skills & Financial Literacy Program

Audience: Youth & Adults, At-Risk Youth, Limited Resource Audiences

Content or Curriculum:  Money Habitudes, Wells Fargo Online Banking, Teens Take on Grocery Shopping, Wells Fargo Hands on Banking, 4H Content or Curriculum on Life Skills, Needs vs. Wants Content or Curriculum, 21st Century Life-skills 

Inputs: FCS Agent, Family resource centers, Schools, Family Resource Centers, Public Library, Non-profit Organizations, Career Centers, Military Youth Programs, Colleges

Date: 

October 2020-November 2022 (Adults)

Summer Camp (June 2021-July 2021), (June 2022-July 2022)

Enhancing Financial Literacy - CD 



Success Stories

Kentucky Saves Week 2021 Encourages Hardin Countians to Pledge to Save

Author: Dayna Fentress

Major Program: Financial Education - General

Kentucky Saves is led by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service as part of the national America Saves campaign. The initiative, which culminates during  Kentucky Saves Week the last week of February, encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. Research suggests that those who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. The Kentucky Saves Pledge is a tool to help consumers visualize their goals by writing down what they&

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