Hello Financial Education Network!

Happy New Year! We are so excited for 2024 and what this year may bring. 

As a reminder, please share with us any highlights, updates, or events you would like to share with the more than 22,000 members of this distribution list. When you have something you'd like to share with the network via this monthly email update - please send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Proposed WFEN content." 

Additionally, if you’re not already following DFI’s social media accounts, please do! We’re working to grow our networks in addition to promoting your great work. 

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DFI Financial Education & Outreach

We're off to a busy start this year already with eight outreach events and 10 presentations scheduled for the month of January. 

We are seeing more requests for financial education presentations from education institutions. We are excited to be strengthening partnerships with nonprofits across the state to empower people in their knowledge and confidence in financial literacy.

As a reminder, you can request a financial education presentation through our website here. 

Also, be sure to note whether you are seeking outreach in English, Spanish or both. We are happy to work with all Washington residents - all ages, and most financial topics (budgeting, saving, ID theft prevention, financial fraud prevention, basics of investing, basics of homeownership, credit/debt/scores/reports, retirement basics, elder fraud prevention, etc.).

Next Generation of Financial Leaders Workshop

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), is working with bank and credit union association partners to offer a four-day leadership program for young adults who seek hands-on knowledge and exposure to the various careers available at banks and credit unions as well as careers regulating these financial institutions.

When is it?: June 17-21, 2024 (with June 19 – the Juneteenth holiday - off). Applications will be accepted until April 30. Participants will be notified of their selection for the workshop in early May. The first two days, Monday and Tuesday will be in person at Bellevue College. Wednesday is Juneteenth. Thursday will be at a financial institution, and Friday will close the program virtually.   

Where is it?: Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, WA. 

Who is it for?: Young adults – age 18 or older - including recent high school graduates, current college or technical school students and recent college graduates. 

Applications requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Provide their own transportation to the workshop. 
• Commit to attending and participating in all days of the workshop.
• Young adults do not need to be enrolled in college to participate in this workshop.
• Provide their own housing if they do not reside within the standard commute range (30-90 min.). 

To learn more about this workshop, visit our website here. Apply to this workshop here. 

Contact information: For details, email Tom Grant at [email protected].

Join us Jan. 19 for an insightful discussion on how Career Connect Washington and the Financial Services Industry are working together to boost employment and what that means for your community!

Employers still need support filling positions within the financial services industry. Learn about some of the challenges in finding and hiring staff, recommendations for growing employment opportunities for people in your community and have a conversation about next steps.

Register today to learn how Career Connect Washington (CCW) Finance Sector Lead Washington Bankers Association works with employers in the financial services industry to provide information about employment, and CCW recommendations to support future leaders. Learn how you can help your community members prepare for careers in the financial services industry.

Time: 11 a.m. to Noon

Date: Friday, Jan. 19

Place: Zoom meeting online Register Here

The session will include information about:

• Career Connect Washington program.
• Financial industry jobs (branch managers, appraisers, tellers, etc.).
• Challenges with finding and hiring staff.
• Recommendations for growing employment opportunities for people in your community; and
• A conversation about the next steps and how you can help.

This session also will include information from the 2022 – 2023 Financial Sector Strategy Report and current activities for next year’s report.

For more information contact: [email protected].

WA529 Basics - Get to Know the GET Program and DreamAhead Plan

Did you know a 529 plan can cover more expenses than just tuition and support a variety of academic pathways across the country and even abroad? Learn how the Washington 529 Education Savings Plans help families save for a variety of college and career training expenses.

This webinar will guide you through the details of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program and DreamAhead College Investment Plan. Q&A is provided to help you get your savings started today. 

Register now for this informative and interactive webinar:

2024 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest

Have you heard about the 2024 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest? The contest theme is “70 Years Later—The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education.” This is an annual essay and video competition open to high school students in states and territories within the Ninth Circuit’s jurisdiction.

Before competing in the Ninth Circuit’s civics contest, the Western District of Washington sponsors its own local civics contest to select its winners. The Western District of Washington’s top three winners are eligible for almost $3000 in prize money and will be advanced as finalists to compete in the 2024 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest. There will also be six District Honorable Mention certificates awarded. Students who move on to the Circuit-level civics contest have a chance to receive cash prizes totaling $11,400. First-place winners at the Circuit are invited to attend the 2024 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, where their achievements will be celebrated and they will have an opportunity to meet a Supreme Court Justice, Circuit and District Court Judges, and members of the bar and academia.

Please encourage any high school student you know to participate. Essay and video entries can be online on the Ninth Circuit Civics Contest website starting Jan. 8, 2024. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, March 8, 2024. The attached Western District of Washington’s civics contest flyer (click here) includes information about the contest prompt and total cash prizes offered by the District and the Ninth Circuit. For questions about the local contest, please email [email protected] or Tracy Morris at [email protected].

For questions about the 2024 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest, email Katherine Rodriguez, communications administrator, at [email protected]. For educational resources, activities, and outreach, please contact Kari Kelso, Ph.D., public education and community outreach administrator, at [email protected].

Office of the State Treasurer 2024 Financial Wellness 101 Workshops

View the schedule below and sign up for our upcoming Financial Wellness 101 workshops — brought to you at no cost by the Office of the State Treasurer and WorkSource Washington. Attendees can participate in-person at WorkSource of Thurston County or attend online — so no matter where you are in Washington you are welcome to participate! Each month, the State Treasurer’s Financial Education Coordinator hosts three different free workshops focused on budgeting, credit & debt, and consumer cautions.

• The budgeting workshop teaches how to set financial goals and create a budgeting plan.
• The credit & debt workshop details how to build and improve your credit history and make a debt payoff plan.
• The consumer cautions workshop teaches techniques to start budgeting conversations with your family and avoid identity theft.

January:

Tax Season is Quickly Approaching!

New this year, the IRS will launch a Direct File pilot providing taxpayers in 13 states with the choice to electronically file their federal tax return directly for free. The Direct File pilot will be an interview-based service that will work on a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. The service will be available in English and Spanish. Learn more about the Direct File pilot.

To learn more about Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and other free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers, visit: Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers. For more information, refer to the OCC’s Community Development Fact Sheet “Leveraging Earned Income Tax Credits to Reach New Bank Customers.”

Financial Empowerment Newtwork (FEN) Job Opening & Taxes in Washington

FEN is hiring!

The Financial Empowerment Network is growing! They are currently hiring for a King County Engagement Manager! This person will work with nonprofit, financial institution and government partners to increase access to asset building opportunities and improve financial wellbeing in King County. They are looking for someone who is collaborative, with experience in building and maintaining cross-sector partnerships. This is a new position - because they are a small but mighty team, there is plenty of space to build the role as you go.

Interested in joining the FEN team? Take a look at the full position description here. To apply please email a resume and letter of interest to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled. First review of applicants will happen the week of Jan. 15 2024.

Taxes in Washington

Tax season is an important time of year and getting the most out of tax returns can be a daunting task for families looking to kickstart savings, reduce debt, or reach their financial goals. Access to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and the Washington Working Families Tax Credit are incredible resources to take the next step towards stability and beyond. Join us to learn about updates to the WFTC and ways to connect community members with free tax filing!

Join the webinar on Wednesday, Jan.10 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Register here. 

Simpler, more generous 2024-25 financial aid applications now available—but process will be slower

Financial aid applications for this year’s graduating seniors were delayed as the federal government made updates to improve the form and increase aid eligibility. Forms are now available, although students and families should expect some technical issues for the time being. And it will take longer than usual for colleges to get and process applications and respond with financial aid awards. 

Read the full press release here.

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