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

1. Making the Health/Wealth Connection at Brighter Beginnings Why & How Brighter Beginnings is investing in Financial Education for all our Families

2. Outline for Presentation Context for Who we are and Why we added Financial Education How we are implementing Financial Education Why be banked Home Visiting Fresh approach Nutrition classes CEO Women Financial Education Lessons and encouragements

3. Brighter Beginnings – Who we are We believe every family matters and every child deserves to have a happy, healthy future.

4. 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 Multiple Risk Factors

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. For More Information Barbara Bunn McCullough, Ph.D. Brighter Beginnings bbmccullough@brighter-beginnings.org (510) 903-7503 www.brighter-beginnings.org