How do we ensure clients learn and take responsibility for their actions related to their financial circumstance?

Both the FEC Model and the United Way’s approach to this work assumes participants are naturally creative, resourceful, whole and have the agency to make their own financial decisions. This work is not meant to tell people what to do with their finances but support them as they learn and grow in their own ability to manage their financial futures. This model is centered on empowerment and self-agency. The responsibility to follow through lies with the participant and not the coach. The coach simply provides the knowledge, resources and tools for the participant to make their own choices and actions.

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1. Who is eligible to receive services at a Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)? Who is our target audience?
2. How is this different from asking people to “budget their way out of poverty”?
3. What does this look like on the client side? How long does counseling services take?
4. How do we ensure clients learn and take responsibility for their actions related to their financial circumstance?
5. How do we ensure competency for the proposed FEC staff on issues of equity?
6. What kind of referral network will be in place to provide the support clients need, such as therapy or emergency assistance?
7. What outcomes have been achieved in other communities?
8. Are there plans to utilize the wealthy community as volunteers to create buy-in and to leverage funds for financial planning or coaching?
9. What collaborations might be possible with higher education?
10. Why does the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund mandate raising $300,000 in the first year?
11. How will the community be informed of results and new initiatives?
12. How might we leverage what we are learning to advocate for public policy shifts?
13. How does the county plan to develop actual investment and planning support?