Why & How Brighter Beginnings is investing in Financial Education for all our Families

Making the Health/Wealth Connection at Brighter

Beginnings

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Outline for Presentation

Context for Who we are and Why we added Financial Education

How we are implementing Financial EducationWhy be bankedHome VisitingFresh approach Nutrition classesCEO Women Financial Education

Lessons and encouragements

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Brighter Beginnings – Who we are

We believe every family matters and every child deserves to have a happy, healthy future.

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Multiple Risk Factors

Poverty, Homelessness Single parent status Low birth weight Exposure to environmental

toxins Exposure to traumatic

events or violence

Special needs in the family (disability, chronic illness, mental disorders)

Low proficiency in English Prenatal damage from

exposure to alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco

Maternal depression Abuse & neglect

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Brighter Beginnings

Brighter Beginnings strengthens families by helping parents raise happy, healthy

children. We do this by helping families in high-stress neighborhoods access basic

services, and parenting education & support systems, to build resilience and skills so they

can improve the lives of their children, and future generations.

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Why we added Financial Education

September 2007: Brighter Beginnings has presentation about the Life Course gradient and Health Equity

December 2008: Cheri Pies, MCAH Director for Contra Costa included the staff of Black Infant Health, who are Brighter Beginnings employees, in the BEST trainings (where we also met Lauren/CFR)

March 2008: Unnatural Causes

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CFR – a tool and possibilities

March 2009: All Staff Training Lauren’s “pitch” that agencies like Brighter

Beginnings, who already have relationships with families who are struggling with poverty-related issues, are particularly well suited to engage in the financial education process.

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Evolution of a Financial Education Model

Coaching Training Operation Frontline partnership with Pacific

Coast Farmer’s Market Partnership with Patelco Credit Union CEO Women partnership

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Financial Education today

Became VITA site in Richmond, Antioch and Oakland

Enroller of CFR Debit Cards Training on “Why Be Banked” – now

delivering to fathers, at Antioch First 5, and to teen parents in Oakland

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Financial Education in Alameda County

Grant from First 5, Every Child Counts Teen family support program facilitates life

skills classes at 3 schools in Alameda county for for pregnant and parenting teens. 3 modules of FE delivered, specifically tailored for teens– Budgeting– How to Save and Creating a Financial Action Plan– Why Be Banked

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Financial Education, cont

Workshop series offered to community First 4 sessions well received. Have had

over 10 participants at each session. Creative incentives – participants receive $5

each class, BB matches if they attend at least 3 of the classes

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Financial Education in the home

Budgeting (income vs out-going expenses) If income, getting Banked (1-to-1 module) Building safety-net savings Creating financial goals Referrals – ACCAN, and FESP CFR card enrollment

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Evaluation

Evaluation: How do we know that our work is having an impact?

% of clients that set financial goals % of clients who report feeling competent to

achieve at least 1 financial goal Follow through with referrals – outcomes

from referrals

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For More Information

Barbara Bunn McCullough, Ph.D.Brighter Beginningsbbmccullough@brighter-beginnings.org(510) 903-7503www.brighter-beginnings.org