SAVE THE DATE
FOR FPP EVENTS
April 16, 2013
Money Smart Train-the-Trainer
Heart of Florida United Way
TIME: 10 am-3 pm
LOCATION: Dr. Nelson Ying Center, 1940 Traylor Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32804
Information
May 29-31, 2013
5th Annual FPP Statewide Training Conference,
LOCATION: Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal in Orlando
June 5, 2013
Money Smart Train-the-Trainer class
Manatee County
SAVE THE DATE FOR MEMBER EVENTS April 11-12
Resilience and Rebuilding for Low-Income Communities conference LOCATION: Washington, D.C. FEATURING: Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Columbia University Professor Sudhir Venkatesh as keynote speakers. More Information | |
|
THE FLORIDA PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP (FPP)
| The Florida Prosperity Partnership (FPP), was formally established in March 2009, evolving from a number of parallel and earlier efforts to create a statewide coalition dedicated to improving the financial stability and capability for low-to-moderate income Floridians.
FPP PURPOSE: To convene individuals and organizations with the desire to leverage their talent, resources, and passion to improve the prosperity of Florida's families.
FPP VISION: All Floridians have equal opportunities to attain financial stability.
FPP MISSION: Establish a statewide collaboration holistically focused on providing life-enhancing services to Floridians.
|
|
FPP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Janet Hamer, Chair
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Daniella Levine, Vice-Chair
Catalyst Miami
Sandra Bernard-Bastien,
Children's Services Council of Broward
Ted Granger, Treasurer
United Way of Florida
Evan Goldman
CSC of Broward County
George Owen
Regions Bank
Maureen Quinlan
United Way of Marion County
Mike Smith
TD Bank
FPP BOARD MEMBERS
Ron Albert
IRS
Anika Coney
Hillsborough County Dept. of FAS
Dr. Michael Gutter
University of Florida, IFAS
Valerie Jenkins
Wells Fargo
Iris Jones
BB&T Bank
Mike Kennedy Suncoast Community Capital
Roger Mercado
Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc.
Katie Metz
National Disability Institute
Rosa Morgan
Community Assets Inc.
Joan Nelson
Heart of Florida United Way
Kasha Owers
United Way of Palm Beach County
Felipe Pinzon
Hispanic Unity of Florida
Rob Sansome
TrueWealth Ventures
Ron Sharpe
United Way of Northwest Florida
Ellen Stoffer
United Way Suncoast
Barbara Travis
Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas
Jeff Winkler
Real$ense Prosperity Campaign, an initiative of United Way of Northeast Florida
FPP STAFF
Kaye Schmitz
President and CEO
Bill Mills Director of Strategic Initiatives Penny Zaphel Coordinator of Special Projects Emilie Pennington Graphics Designer Lynn Gill Bookkeeper THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS |
|
|
|
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By Kaye Schmitz
|
Greetings!
|
KAYE SCHMITZ |
We are happy to announce that we will extend Early Bird Registration for the FPP Conference by two weeks--until April 12. Still only $199 for paid FPP members. Here's the whole fee structure: - Member Early Bird Registration (through April 12) $199
- Non-member Early Bird Registration (through April 12) $299
- Member Registration (April 12 - May 29) $249
- Non-member Registration (April 12 - May 29) $349
- Member At the Door Fee $299
- Non-member At the Door Fee $399
In addition to our dynamic line-up of speakers from, literally, around the world, one of the sessions will feature our own Dr. Michael Gutter conducting a Poverty Simulation, where we'll all be able to see the pitfalls of poverty first hand. This will be a very powerful eye-opening session for all of us. We will also have a session on Policy and Advocacy issues for Florida, including a discussion of the CFED Scorecard results. Another sessin will highlight the importance of workplace financial education. Have your organization sign up now. Spots are going fast.
Conference Sponsorships We would like to thank our newest sponsors:
Valerie Jenkins and Wells Fargo for their silver sponsorship.
Florida Community Bank and Nancy Merolla for a bronze sponsorship.
George Owen and Regions Bank for a bonze sponsorship.
Both Emory Ivery and Joan Nelson from United Way Suncoast and Heart of Florida United Way respectively, for their combined bronze sponsorship.
In addition, we thank our new exhibitors, Lifewise Strategies (Syble Solomon), the FDIC (April Atkins), and United Way of Northwest Florida (Ron Sharpe). We still have spots for additional sponsorships, so don't hesitate to contact me. And don't forget, if you need an invoice in order to get your membership fee paid so you can qualify for the conference discount, please get in touch with me and I will be happy to send you one.
| FPP 5th Annual Conference Commercial |
Other News
Please keep reading to get an update on Bank On Florida and the very well attended launch of Bank On Central Florida, led by Lakeland's Mayor Gow Fields, a policy update by Ted Granger and some exciting Member News that includes a final report from the President's Council on Financial Capability, an NCTC tool that helps you figure the real cost of preparing a "free" tax return, exciting news from the Federal Reserve Bank, and scholarships that are available from Step Up For Children.
Let April be the month you register for the FPP Conference. Have a great month. |
|
BANK ON FLORIDA
By Bill Mills, Bank On Florida Director
|
BILL MILLS
|
Bank On Central Florida Launch Event
United Way of Central Florida hosted a successful launch event for Bank On Central Florida in March. It was a packed house with representatives from financial institutions, nonprofits, and local cities. We especially want to thank Lakeland's Mayor Gow Fields for championing the cause! Sue Schluender, the Education & Operations Director for Explorations V Children's Museum is taking the lead for United Way of Central Florida's Financial Stability Partnership. She worked with Ameshia Jackson, the Program Director-Family Empowerment Program for Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc. to have an entire day of Bank On and Money Smart Train the Trainer education with April Atkins from the FDIC as their special guest trainer.
FreeFLTaxSites.org Update
Our FreeFLTaxSites.org website has had over 3,000 hits since its inception. Thanks again to all of the organizations that have shared the website on your own website, in your newsletters, on Facebook, and on Twitter! If you have not done so, please read more about how you can help promote it, here.
Money Smart Train the Trainer
Heart of Florida United Way and Bank On Greater Orlando will be hosting a Money Smart Train the Trainer class on April 16. It is not too late to RSVP! See the attached flyer for more information.
This just in! On June 5, there will be another Money Smart Train the Trainer class in, or around Manatee County (location to be announced). Check back next month for more details.
|
FPP ADVOCACY
By Evan Goldman and Ted Granger
|
TED GRANGER AND
EVAN GOLDMAN
|
Consumer Finance Legislation Passes Committee
As the session bears down on its mid-point, there are numerous bills being considered that will impact the pocketbooks of many of the people FPP members serve, from foreclosure to insurance and taxes. One may have particular implications;
The Florida Consumer Finance Act (the Act) sets maximum interest rates for consumer finance loans, which are "loan[s] of money, credit, goods, or a provision of a line of credit, in an amount or to a value of $25,000 or less at an interest rate greater than 18 percent per annum."
Consumer finance loans, made by lenders licensed by the State, may charge a maximum rate of:
- 30 percent a year, computed on the first $2,000 of the principal amount;
- 24 percent a year on that part of principal exceeding $2,000 but not exceeding $3,000; and
- 8 percent per year on that part of principal exceeding $3,000.
HB 425 would increase the amount of principle that can be charged the higher rate -- raising the 30 percent level to $3,000 and the 24 percent level to $3,000 - $4,000. Bill proponents contend that interest rates are higher on these smaller types of loans because they are riskier, unsecured loans. However, the Florida Consumer Action Network points out that even though borrowing and lending costs are at historically low levels, the bill increases the interest, fees, and penalties for already very expensive loans that are primarily used by low and middle class consumers, many living paycheck-to-paycheck. At the same time, more than 50 percent of consumer finance organizations in Florida are owned by just three out-of-state companies, 80 percent of which - according to the North Carolina banking regulator - have maintained profits year-after-year, even through the recession.
Perhaps most disturbing is that consumer finance lenders have a sad tradition of churning their customers: Industry data show that over 75 percent of their lending is for refinancing existing customers, generating new fees and interest each time. Instructions to employees of Security Finance (one of top lenders in Florida, dba Sun Belt Credit, based in South Carolina) show their business thrives on getting people into debt, but not letting them out: "push the renewals, by getting the customer to renew their accounts it will be harder for that customer to pay us out."
The bill is now on the house calendar awaiting a vote by the full House.
|
DISABILITY NEWS
By Michael Rousch MS, National Program Director of the National Disability Institute & Katie Metz, Regional Specialist
| MICHAEL ROUSCH AND KATIE METZ |
Expanding Financial Literacy Programs to Persons with Disabilities
National Disability Institute (NDI) is celebrating National Financial Literacy Month this April by highlighting tools that organizations can access to expand financial literacy programs to include persons with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that the proper goals of the ADA are "to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency". Financial literacy supports the proper goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing knowledge, tools and resources that will assist persons with disabilities to become economically self-sufficient. Often times, financial literacy programs are not offered or delivered to persons with significant disabilities which may be attributed to a lack of accessible financial literacy materials / curriculums; a lack of understanding on what is financial literacy; and/or not fully understanding how to interact with persons with significant disabilities when delivering a financial education class. NDI has a variety of tools that will assist organizations expand their financial literacy programs to include persons with disabilities.
Financial Literacy Tools:
- Accessible Financial Literacy Checklist: NDI in partnership with Assets for Independence created the Accessible Financial Literacy Checklist. The checklist will help organizations remove barriers to participation by individuals with disabilities and create an inclusive environment. Creating an inclusive environment starts with the actions and attitudes of staff who set high expectations about a barrier free environment that encourages everyone to be sensitive and solution oriented to individual differences.
- Webinar: Financial Literacy-Empowering Persons with Developmental Disabilities to be Engaged with Their Money webinar will provide tips and tools on offering financial literacy to persons with disabilities.
| WEBINAR: Empowering Persons with Developmental Disabilities to be Engaged with Their Money |
To learn more about other tools that will assist organizations to expand financial literacy programs to include persons with disabilities, go to www.realeconomicimpact.org.
|
|
MEMBER NEWS
President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability Releases Final Report
Helping young Americans build strong financial knowledge, skills, and habits will serve them well over their lives and promote sounder and more stable household economies. This is one of several findings the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability (Council) included in its final report to President Obama, which was delivered through the Department of the Treasury.
The Council's report includes a number of recommendations to help improve the financial lives of American individuals and families. The report finds a critical need to bring rigorous financial education to our young people. Financial education is the foundation for better decision-making, and it should start early and continue to be taught in school. The Council's report also focuses on improved coordination between local government, business, and community leaders. Local financial capability councils, which are created and planned by state, tribal, and local leaders, were inspired by the President's Advisory Council and will be critical in turning ideas into action. Finally, the report emphasizes the importance of research and the need to establish a baseline understanding of financial knowledge, particularly among young people. Financial education will not be successful unless we have a rigorous evaluation of metrics and testing to determine what actually works to change financial behavior.
You can view the report here.
Questions?
__________________________
What's Your Cost Per Tax Return? Come Find Out!
As part of the Sustainable Models Project, NCTC has launched the first version of the Cost Per Return Tool. The tool is designed to help community tax programs understand their current cost structures and resource demands. You'll learn what costs contribute to preparing a tax return, what the cost per return benchmark is for the field of community tax programs, and most importantly, your program's cost per return.
Possible usage includes:
- Share it with your partners (Board, funders, staff, volunteers, etc.) - show how much effort and time it takes to make your program operate and be great!
- Use it as groundwork - improve your program by performing cost area analysis
- Use it as an educational opportunity - share with staff and volunteers.
NCTC is offerering incentives! Read more.
__________________________
Atlanta Federal's Exciting Informational Resources and Upcoming Events By: Janet Hamer,
Senior Community Development Manager,
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Highlights of theFederal Reserve's Economic Development podcast series
- Strictly Business: A Case for Greater Company Participation in Workforce Development: How can employers be effective partners in improving the local workforce ecosystem? Peter Cappelli, professor and director of the Wharton School's Center for Human Resources, discusses how firms can provide on-the-job training for skills needed within their organizations. (more)
- Women Entrepreneurs Mean Business: What are the current trends in female entrepreneurship? Alicia Robb, senior research fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, discusses recent data on women-owned firms and the challenges and opportunities in expanding this sector. (more)
Upcoming Events - Plan to attend the Resilience and Rebuilding for Low-Income Communities conference April 11-12 in Washington, D.C., featuring Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Columbia University Professor Sudhir Venkatesh as keynote speakers. Sponsored by the Federal Reserve System, the eighth biennial Community Development Research Conference will spotlight research on a variety of topics related to creating sustainable, resilient, and thriving neighborhoods.
Workforce Development Information Resources - Interested in better understanding the complex factors creating long-term unemployment conditions, particularly in low- and moderate-income communities? Review the publication A Perspective from Main Street: Long-Term Unemployment and Workforce Development, which highlights key topics that emerged from a series of regional events and forums on the attenuating effects of long-term unemployment. These forums gathered representatives from intermediary organizations who deliver workforce development services and local employers. While the report does not attempt to be a comprehensive compilation of all ideas and views expressed at the regional forums, it identifies several promising workforce development strategies from around the country.
- What are some promising practices in preparing students for the current job market? Review a summary from a January workforce development event focused on historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), during which HBCU presidents and corporate leaders met at the Atlanta Fed. The event was part of a larger Federal Reserve initiative to address workforce development issues, including workforce readiness.
- View presentations, videos, and other materials from the 2012 conference on The Future of Workforce Development: Where Research Meets Practice hosted by the Atlanta and Kansas City Feds.
I hope you find these resources useful. If you have any questions or suggestions for the community and economic development team at the Atlanta Fed, please let me know.
__________________________
Step Up For Students. A scholarship for your child?
Florida has help for schoolchildren who are low-income, in foster care or homeless.
Today, more than 50,000 low-income students in Florida are receiving a Step Up For Students Scholarship. Could your child be next?
Many families still don't know this option exists, but Florida has the nation's largest K-12 scholarship program giving low-income families the ability to choose the school that best meets their children's needs. Families who qualify for the free or reduced-price school lunch program, children who are in foster care or who are homeless, could be eligible. Learn more.
Applications for the 2013-14 school year have started. Please visit www.StepUpForStudents.org to apply.
To learn more, please visit www.StepUpForStudents.org, call 877-735-7837 or email [email protected].
|
|
|