In 2012, REAL Solutions continues to focus on helping credit unions offer products and services for modest means households by working through state credit union leagues. However in line with NCUF’s new focus, REAL Solutions has paid greater attention to financial education programs, tools and data collections. Three major initiatives include:
Financial Education Data Collection – In 2011, NCUF started surveying credit unions for its 2011 Credit Union Member Education Inventory & the resulting report "Credit Unions: Focused on Financial Capability Across the Nation" clearly demonstrates the great work they do to build member and consumer financial capability through financial education programs. "Credit Unions: Focused on Financial Capability Across the Nation" provides state credit union leagues/associations and the broader credit union movement with fuel for state and national public awareness, advocacy, and related outreach efforts.
FiCEP – In early March, NCUF launched an enhanced FiCEP program working with three partners (CUNA, state leagues and credit unions). The Credit Union Financial Counseling Certification Program (FICEP) is an eight module financial education training program offered by the Credit Union National Association. To date, 16 states plan to participate in the program and an expected 500 additional financial counselors will be trained.
Financial Reality Fairs - Financial Reality Fairs are interactive financial education programs for junior and senior high school students. These fairs connect in-school curriculum and an experiential training program to help students better understand the issues and challenges of budgeting and the financial choices they will make as adults. NCUF held a reality fair for the first time in 2011 in conjunction with CUNA GAC at the Rayburn House Office Building for students of H.D. Woodson High School. Currently four REAL Solutions states are offering Reality Fairs with an expected ten additional states offering fairs within the next two years. This has the capacity to impact thousands of students on an annual basis.
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