It's officially SPRING! Flowers are blooming, the trees are growing their fresh new leaves, and financial education continues to blossom with each season. This month, we celebrate Financial Capability Month and America Saves Week in addition to the many events hosted by our financial education partners like yourselves. Outreach through in-person, online, and social media will pick up this month as we share financial education resources to the people who call Washington State home.

In this issue of the newsletter, you'll find information on Financial Capability Month and America Saves Week, spring webinars, reading days, and so much more! 

As a reminder, please share with us any highlights, updates, or events you would like to share with the more than 23,000 people receiving the WFEN updates. 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. 

• X: https://x.com/dficonsumers
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wastatedfi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wadfi
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WADFI
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-washington-department-of-financial-institutions
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wastatedfi.bsky.social

Just a reminder, DFI's outreach coordinator Nathan Spiecker provides financial education workshops statewide - in both English and Spanish! If you are looking for someone to help provide outreach in your community, contact Nathan at [email protected] or fill out a presentation request form.

DFI is on Bluesky

That's right, you've heard it here first, we are officially on Bluesky! 

It seems like every day, week, month, and year there are new social media platforms popping up. For DFI, we felt we aligned well with the atmosphere on Bluesky, and several of our state agencies have an account as well. Make sure to follow us on Bluesky as we are officially launching it TODAY! Also, if you aren't already following us on our other social media platforms, please follow us for regular financial education information and links to resources (links to each social media account at the top). 

Update on DFI's Statewide Financial Education Class Calendar

Due to budget cuts and lack of use by community organizations (only one has consistently submitted calendar items), we are discontinuing our Statewide Financial Education Class Calendar. We are sad it didn't catch on with community organizations in the 15 years we offered the calendar. We recognize folks have limited capacity and hope someday to offer it again to better serve the many communities in Washington State with a single statewide calendar.

April is Financial Capability Month

We are so excited to celebrate yet another year of Financial Capability Month this April! Financial Capability Month is a time to focus on providing resources, education, and opportunities for all residents to become better informed about finances and to strengthen their financial lives. 

You can visit our website (PLACEHOLDER) for more information on Financial Capability Month and how we are celebrating. 

America Saves Week 2025

America Saves Week is April 7-11 this year! Since 2007, America Saves Week has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving and reducing debt. Thousands of participating organizations join together to encourage local communities to prioritize checking in on their mindset, finances, and saving behaviors during the week. Individuals are encouraged to take the America Saves pledge to clearly establish their financial goals and get information, resources, and support as they work toward them. 

Join us for America Saves Week as we share tools and resources with our community that inspire individuals and families to save successfully and work toward building financial resilience. DFI will be posting on our social media platforms each day of America Saves Week to share resources and financial knowledge. 

2025 daily themes: 

• April 7: Saving Automatically
• April 8: Saving for the Unexpected
• April 9: Saving for Major Milestones
• April 10: Paying Down Debt is Saving
• April 11: Saving at Any Age

Visit the America Saves Week website for more information on each daily theme and resources. 

Scam Alert: Good To Go Tolls

There's a new scam going around! If you receive a text claiming to be Good To Go! or WSDOT saying you have a new payment, don't reply or click on it. Washington will never contact you through phone, text, social media, or other unsolicited messages about unpaid toll invoices. Toll payments can be made through the official state website, www.MyGoodToGo.com. 

DFI Webinar: How Do People Access Affordable Rent?

Learn from Snohomish County entities to better understand strategies that might work for your organization.

What you'll learn

• Learn from Housing Hope, an organization operating 653 affordable units at 25 locations in Snohomish County.
• Learn from Volunteers of American Western Washington and how they support clients. This session will focus on work with landlords and clients to access housing and other resources.
• Gain tips for how you might approach organizations in your community and increase access to affordable housing for your clients.

Event Details

• When - April 24, 2025, from 1-2 p.m.
• Where - Online via Zoom
• Who should attend - Community leaders and service providers

Speakers

• Rachel Wilkinson Downes, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Housing Hope
• Galina Volchkova, Executive Director for Housing Services at Volunteers of America Western Washington

Optional Conversation

• 1:45 - 2:00 p.m.
• Around the room: Growing connections and partner highlights
• Updates and resources for scam prevention and financial education

For more information, contact Erin Klika. Register now!

Spring Financial Education Webinars with FEPPP

The Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) is committed to connecting public and private stakeholders to improve and advocate for financial education in Washington schools and communities. FEPPP strives to develop and deliver professional development that provides educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to meet the diverse needs of today’s students.

Register now for a webinar:

• April 1: Talking about Washington's Unique Tax System (Grades 6-12)
• April 8: Talking about Federal Taxes (Grades 6-12)
• April 24: Addressing the Housing Crisis with Hope and Courage (Grades 9-12)
• May 1: Living together: Social, Emotional, and Financial Skills (Grades 9-12)
• May 6: Scam or Smart Business? A Critical Thinking Challenge (Grades 6-12)

Supporting the Financial Wellbeing of Immigrant and Refugee Communities Workshop

Join the Financial Empowerment Network for a workshop designed to equip you with the tools to support immigrant and refugee communities facing fear and uncertainty in today's climate. With rising misinformation and the threat of deportation, it's crucial to have access to trustworthy resources. In this session, you'll learn how to confidently address these challenges, help individuals create actionable plans, and combat misinformation with vetted information. Walk away with practical resources and the knowledge to better support your community in these difficult times. 

Register now for this webinar on April 22 from 10-11:30 a.m.

WA529 Essentials: Building a Child's Education Savings Plan Webinars

Join WA529 for a 30-minute webinar to learn how Washington's Education Savings Plans can help families and individuals save for college and career training expenses. WA529 will guide you through the details of their Prepaid and Investment Savings Plans and provide a Q&A session to help you get started on your savings journey today. 

Upcoming webinars: 

2025 Financial Freedom Fair

Join the Chehalis Tribe and several community partners for a day to share financial education. This event is free and open to everyone and all ages. The details:

• When? April 5 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Where? Great Wolf Lodge located at 20500 Old Hwy 99 SW Centralia, WA 98531

Learn more on The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation website. 

2025 Financial Education Reading Days

In celebration of Financial Capability Month, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP), Washington Jump$tart Coalition, and DFI are excited to bring you the 2025 Financial Education Reading Days in Washington. During this event, community members will visit elementary school classrooms to read a pre-selected book with a financial education focus. This year reading days will run from April 14 - May 9.

This year's books are "Count on Pablo" by Barbara deRubertis and "Isabel's Car Wash" by Sheila Bair. Register your classroom to host a reader or register to read in a classroom!

Office of State Treasurer Financial Wellness 101 Workshops

In partnership with WorkSource of Thurston County, the Office of the State Treasurer provides financial Wellness one-on-one workshops in an effort to enhance financial education and empower individuals in Washington. These workshops educate participants on financial goal setting, budgeting, saving, credit management, and identity theft prevention and awareness. Attendees can participate either in person at WorkSource of Thurston County or online, making it accessible to people across the state. By equipping individuals with essential financial knowledge this partnership contributes to building a financially resilient community.

April workshops:

Free Virtual Workshops: Financial Education for Businesses

Are you interested in expanding your financial knowledge and skills? Check out this list of events hosted by Workforce Snohomish, their community partners, and other organizations dedicated to financial wellness. 

This workshop series will be led by US Bank with Workforce Snohomish as the facilitator. These workshops are designed to help you strengthen your financial skills and grow your business. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, these workshops will provide valuable insights to help you make informed financial decisions. Registration required.

• April 14: Building business credit
• April 28: Managing business financials
• May 12: Managing business cash flow

Each workshop is from 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Financial Empowerment Workshop Series

These workshops are organized by Workforce Snohomish and Sno-Isle. Here are the workshops available in April, May, and June:

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