Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Community Colleges as hubs for workforce development and asset-building: Applying the Center for Working Families Model September 24, 2010

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved The Challenge Community colleges are uniquely positioned to help families make critical changes in their lives through workforce development training. But students also need financial supports to realize their educational and career goals.

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved The CWF Approach Pioneered by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and now supported by other major funders, the CWF approach integrates services and access to a full range of essential economic supports in a convenient location to help families build self-sufficiency, stabilize their finances, and move ahead.

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved CWF Service Categories Employment/ Career Services Income/ Work Supports Financial Services / Asset Building Job readiness, job placement Public benefits accessEducational workshops and financial literacy classes Hard skills training, job placement Tax creditsOne-on-one financial coaching and counseling Career Advancement: education and skill training, advising Student financial aidFinancial services products: access to better priced products (check cashing, loans, savings)

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Community colleges adopting CWF focus on: Financial literacy classes Access to public benefits Matched savings programs Low cost financial products Financial coaching

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Financial Coaching Philosophy: Asset building happens in small steps over a lifetime, so changing behaviors matters. People understand clearly what they want out of life. People are capable of and responsible for achieving their goals. Focus is on personal goals and improving financial behavior over time.

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Lesson #1 By linking with ongoing initiatives colleges can reach hundreds of students relatively quickly. Examples: Successnet at Des Moines Area Community College, Arkansas Career Pathways at Phillips Community College

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Lesson #2 Colleges can interact with participant students over longer time periods (1 to 2 years) in order to achieve significant economic gains. Example: Central New Mexico Community College

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Lesson #3 Because colleges are already providing training and financial aid, it is easier to integrate services across 2 or 3 CWF areas. Many colleges are achieving 80% and above integration in first year of implementation.

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved Lesson #4 Colleges are often starting a CWF approach in Basic Skills programs and then attempting to expand to other departments and campuses. This is difficult and requires leadership buy-in and support.

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved CWF Learning Network Community colleges can access a web site for updates on strategies, tools, results, and case studies; attend workshops and conferences; participate in a financial coaching training; and obtain further information about topics such as behavioral economics, data systems, and benefits access.

Expanding Opportunity, Advancing Equity © MDC, Inc. All Rights Reserved for more information: Colin Austin (919) ex. 321