Developing financial literacy skills is an issue that is regularly identified by both county and extension leadership.  Residents of the Kentucky Christian Recovery Center (alcohol and drug rehab center) were identified as an audience extension could work with to improve financial literacy.  Nutrition educators from the Butler County extension staff worked with residents and staff at Kentucky Christian Recovery to identify the areas of greatest need, while the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent worked in the areas of Financial Literacy and Work Force Prep.   The “Reality Check” program was developed by our entire staff to make residents aware of the expenses they would have to pay as they rebuild their lives when they leave the center.  Expense amounts were reflected as accurately as we could make them.  Income amounts reflected wages earned at a factory that hires a lot of residents who graduate from the KCR.  Resources from UK Family and Consumer Science and Nutrition Education Program were presented to the residents as they prepared for this program.  The program is based on the 4-H Reality Store program.  33 Residents participated in the “Reality Check” program.  Participants were given a monthly income and an example checkbook.  They visited different stations where they actually wrote paper checks to pay for their monthly expenses.  Expense items included things like: groceries, rent/utilities, cigarettes, child support, and more.  Before the program started participants were instructed on how to, and wrote a paper check.  For several residents it was the first time they had written one.  They also were required to keep a check register as they visited the stations.  Paper evaluations were used to collect info on what they learned and thought about the program.  97% of participants reported the program helped them understand the importance of budgeting.  97% of participants reported the program helped them understand how to keep a checkbook and write checks.  13% of the participants had never had a checkbook/checking account, 17% had never written a check.  Some comments participants reported:  Stop smoking, spend money on less things, Keep checks so people can’t steal your money, How to write a check, Putting money back is a good habit to start.  The utility deposit station reported that 75% of the participants were surprised to learn that you had to put up a deposit to have utilities turned on.  The program will be streamlined and offered again as the residents of KCR change.    

Now that Reality Check has been completed, in talking to the residents who have already graduated the program have expressed that the program taught them it was important to have a plan/budget and that there are some things you can live without. Timmy, now a current graduate from the program, was able to make some changes to his spending habits and was able to save 2500.00 over a two month period so that upon graduation he could purchase a vehicle. He used to money for his down payment. He has also been able to secure a job, making more than he was before. Timmy said all participants should attend the program.