In summary: 

Initially 27 participated in the Recovering Your Finances 8 week program that was presented through zoom. Fourteen people attended at least half or all of the sessions.  About 55% of the participants who responded to the survey felt their knowledge of saving was poor to average before the program. After the program, 100% of the participants who responded to the survey felt that their knowledge of the program was good to excellent.

The majority indicated they intended to practice what they learned in each session. 

See specifics below.

Week 1  Program Evaluation Forms were sent to the participants, but with the delay in pickup and delivery, only one was returned. The participant indicated that their knowledge of their “Money Style” had increased.

Week 2  During the Zoom, the FCS agent instructor asked the participants to evaluate their knowledge.   

1. All reported some increase in their level of understanding and/or ability to budget, to establish a baseline starting point, to prepare a personal budget, and to recognize ways to increase income and decrease expenses.  
2. Ten people indicated that they planned to create a written budget and 11 planned to look for ways to increase income or decrease expenses. 
3.  All were satisfied with the speaker, the information, and the educational value of the program.
4. In the subsequent week, 8 participants said that they planned to budget.  One said he already knew how to do that and was only there because if was required.
5. Each participant was sent 12 envelopes labeled for each month to help in budgeting.  One participant indicated that she and her daughter were looking forward to creating a budget and using the envelopes to store their plans and receipts.

Week 3  This week, participants were sent a Qualtrics survey before and after the program. 

1. Their knowledge increased from average/good, to good/excellent on understanding credit and contracts. 
2. They said that they would read contracts and check what the total cost of credit would be.  
3. They agreed or strongly agreed on the satisfaction of the program.  
4. One participant said the most significant thing the program offered was “to manage money.”
5. In a subsequent meeting one participant indicated she had checked her credit score 

Week 4

1.  Those who responded to the survey indicated that their knowledge of credit scores and improving/repairing credit was poor to average. About 90% felt their understanding and ability in credit reports was poor to average in the before survey.
2. There were no participants in the After the Program Survey

Week 5 

1. Most who responded to the survey indicated some improvement in understanding of how to prioritize debt and how to use money management tools. 
2.  In the Before Survey about 90% of the participants scored themselves Poor to Average in their knowledge.
3. In the after survey, about 90% of the participants scored themselves good to excellent in their understanding and ability.
4. Comments to “What is the most significant thing from this program you will apply to your life?
5. Rebuild Credit
6. To negotiate
7. Reducing debt
8. Repayment and prioritize my bill payments
9. Budgeting
10. How to stay out of debt
11. Fixing my credit
12. How to stay on top of things and organize better!

Week 6  

1.  In the before the survey 65% of the participants who responded scored themselves at Poor or Average in their knowledge and ability.
2. After the survey about 50% of the participants who responded scored themselves at Good or Excellent.
3. Comments to the question “What is the most significant thing from this program you will apply to your life?”
4.  Budgeting
5. Pay close attention to fees
6. Looking to reduce fees and debt
7. How to manage money

Week 7 

1.  About 70% of the participants who responded felt their ability and understanding of earnings and wages was poor to average in the before survey.
2. In the after survey, about 83% of the participants who responded felt their knowledge was good to excellent.
3. Comments to “What is the most significant thing from this program you will apply to your life?”
4.  Employer contributions
5. How to manage finances
6. Always pay attention to fine print!

Week 8

1.  About 55% of the participants who responded to the survey felt their knowledge of saving was poor to average before the program.
2. After the program, 100% of the participants who responded to the survey felt that their knowledge of the program was good to excellent.
3. Responses to the question, “What is the most significant thing from this program you will apply to your life?”:
   
   - To set aside an emergency fund and how to look around and shop for the best deal and not to ever use those high interest payday loan places.
   -Budgeting, reading fine print alone anything before signing
   -Savings                                                                                                                      - Different ways to save money

The case worker indicated that at least one of the participants was excited because they had not known how to control their finances and now felt they were able to do so.

Participation details: (This was an on-line only program)

The program began with 24 participants.

During the 8 week there were a total of 27 participants and 14 people completed at least half of the program components.

-2 people participated for the entire 8 weeks.

-5 people participated for 7 out of 8 weeks.

-2 people participated for 6 out of 8 weeks

-3 people participated for 5 out of 8 weeks.

-2 people participated for 4 out of 8 weeks.

-1 person participated for 3 out of 8 weeks.

-5 people participated for 2 out of 8 weeks.

-9 people participated for 1 out of 8 weeks