Counting the Costs Financial Learning and Accountability Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

Counting the Costs Financial Learning and Accountability Program was developed as an effort between DSS (County Government), CCM (A local non-profit), and NC Cooperative Extension (State and educational entity) to address financial concerns being seen by individuals requesting help for crisis financial assistance. New policies were established to foster accountability when individuals express a need for assistance with their financial crises. The citizens of Cabarrus County have been able to access alternative programs to help lessen the financial burdens initially causing the crisis and to lear basic money management techniques through free budgeting classes. All of these efforts have helped the individuals toward the goal of long-term self-sufficiency. Ultimately, this has allowed the conservation of County, State, and Federal tax dollars set aside for crisis (rent and utility assistance) that are intended to be utilized throughout each fiscal year. Although the economic situation has remained virtually stagnant for the last yea, Cabarrus County has seen a 31% reduction of applications taken for crisis assistance, and a 37 percent reduction of the same families having the need to come into the agency for additional financial assistance during the year.