Add It Up For Families North Philadelphia Head Start Dawn Nock. The Big Pay Back! Is Here

Transcription

1 Add It Up For Families North Philadelphia Head Start Dawn Nock The Big Pay Back! Is Here

2 North Philadelphia Head Start Add It Up For Families Inaugurated Fall of 2007 Governor Edward G. Rendell Acting Assistant Secretary, Daniel Schneider, ACF James E. Rohr, Chairman and CEO of PNC IRS Campaign for Working Families Women s Opportunities Resource Center Head Start Management Team Staff Volunteers

3 Mission and Vision Committed to providing comprehensive financial education services that will lead to and/or enhance family self-sufficiency. AIUF serves as a resource that bridges the gap for individuals through various on-site resources and services

4 Program Focus Early childhood education Math skills Financial education Income tax preparation Building bridges

5 North Philadelphia Head Start Bridging the Gap one family at a time: Moving from welfare to work Spending to saving No credit/poor credit to good credit High school diploma to college degree Renter to owner

6 AIUF Overview of Services: On-Site Tax Preparations Matched Savings Program Debt and Credit Counseling How do we do this?

7 Through Our Partners

8 Women s Opportunity Resource Center Assistance with increasing finances Self-Employment Training Financial Resources Matched-Savings Program

9 What s a Matched-Savings Account? It s a savings and match program created to assist low-income to moderate individuals achieve selfsufficiency.

10 With us you can reach your goal in half the time it would take if you had done it alone. You do the math! $1, becomes $2, $1, becomes $3, $2, becomes $4,000.00

11 How can I use the money I save? Funds can be used to fund a business, purchase a home, repair an existing home, or pay for higher education for the participant or participant s child.

12 Campaign for Working Families Volunteer Income Tax Assistance V.I.T.A Opens the last week of January and operates through April 15 th. VITA services help filers turn things around!

13 This is one opportunity you can t afford to let pass you by! Free Financial Management classes One-on-one financial counseling Credit Counseling Matched Savings

14 Success Story! Jasmine is a parent at North Philadelphia Head Start and has worked for the program for three years as a Family Service Advocate. As a FSA she assists families by helping them identify and meet their personal goals through a Family Partnership Agreement. Jasmine soon had her sights on a few personal goals of her own. While working for the program Jasmine served as a volunteer for the Add it Up for Families Initiative. After leaving one of the orientation sessions Jasmine decided this was an opportunity she couldn t let pass her by! She enrolled in the Matched Savings program and was later matched $ towards the closing cost of her first home! In addition, she took advantage of the Education Matched Savings program and received $3, towards her tuition expenses at LaSalle University. Jasmine graduated May 2009 with her BA in Social Work!

15 BE THE FIRST! IN YOUR FAMILY, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO... Move out on your own Go to Trade School, college, or take courses Start a savings account Use a budget Save for an apartment Purchase a car Raise money smart kids Be a home owner Have good credit! North Philadelphia Head Start Turning dreams into reality

16 The Big Pay Back

17 VITA 2008 Season 8 Certified staff volunteers 40% Increase in parent and staff filers over last year

18 VITA During the 2008 Income Tax Season (January-April 15 th, 2009) 140 Returns filed EITC (55) $118,041 CTC (37) $50, 672 Education Credit (8) $4, 976 Total Refund $246,305

19 Considerations for starting your own initiative Identify the project s champion, project lead, and supporters. Know the key players necessary for your initial work group Identify their roles Document their roles in writing

20 More things to consider Identify potential partners and resources Refer to your Community Assessment Self-assessment Engage in multiple discussions/roundtable meetings with your work group and partners

21 Building blocks for Planning for success: Know your short term and long term timelines/goals Task delegation (know who is to do what) Set SMART Goals Be pro-active/forwardthinking Know where you are going and plan for it

22 Partnership takes you a step further Operating Plan must support involvement from all partners Share a copy of your plan with the group Establish role and responsibilities; know whose responsible for what (i.e. monitoring benchmarks, updating Operating Plan, coordinating meetings, etc.)

23 Must haves Marketing ~key to your success! Mission and Vision Statement Role Out MUST BE Creative Enticing Relevant Know your audience/target population Financial Kick Off! Resources/budget Incentives Staff Participation Partner commitment

24 Money Man Told You About This Don t delay, sign up today! First come, first served. Limited slots.

25 Building on Strong partnerships Gain a clear understanding of each others interests, goals, and needs Know and discuss the pros and cons of your partnership Understands your boundaries and obstacles (i.e. space, staffing, computers, supplies, hours of operation, funding/resources, etc.) Collaborate on problem-solving Value an MOU

26 Partnership s cont d Have shared timelines and commitments Construct a working calendar of events Follow up and follow through Stroking is a good thing! Assess when you need to begin planning for your Plan B? Remember the value of a small act of kindness! R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to them

27 continued Good Partnerships ~an essential piece Keep close contact with your partners Stay positive! Focus on what is working! Share resolutionseverything and everyone else are time wasters! Mid and End-of Year celebrations are important!

28 Together we celebrate: Partnerships cont d VITA 140 individuals who will see a greater return this year! Steer clear of the urge to point the finger of woe! Assess your success and establish new goals/action steps as appropriate Highlight and celebrate what you have accomplished Matched Savings 2008 Season 3 established IDA Accounts Season 6 on waiting list (2 payouts!) 2007 Season 8 IDA Accounts (1 Education; 7 Home purchase)

29 Need more information contact: Dawn Nock, Program Director Betty Henderson, AIUF Project Coordinator CDI Head Start 1801 N. 23 rd Street Philadelphia, PA