Overview

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Too many individuals and families are experiencing financial crisis because of inadequate savings, too much debt, and poor planning for potential major life events. On average, U.S. households carry about $8,000 in credit card debt, up two-thirds compared to a decade ago. More than half of Americans report living paycheck to paycheck. During the past decade, the rate of personal bankruptcy in the U.S. rose by 69 percent. Working through land-grant universities and other partners, CSREES targets programs for youth, financially vulnerable populations, and consumers making financial decisions through their lifetime. The overall goal is for people to acquire the knowledge, skills, and motivation to build financial security. Programs focus on behavioral change, starting with achieving financial self-sufficiency, then stability. The ultimate goal, financial security, is the cornerstone of prosperous communities, nurturing neighborhoods, and strong families.

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In Focus

• CSREES provides list of cooperative extension family economics contacts.
• eXtension Personal Finance provides reliable and timely research-based information to aid personal financial decision making.
• 2008 AFCPE Extension Pre-conference highlights extension opportunities in troubled times.
• America Saves Week 2008 produced many useful resources and reports to help youth and adults build wealth, not debt.
• CSREES, the IRS and extension agents collaborate on taxpayer education.
• Family economics research focuses on how people obtain and use resources and explores relationships among individuals, families, and the economy.


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Partners/Partnership

• The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and CSREES have launched a campaign focused on financial & retirement planning choices for baby boomers
• CSREES partners with the Federal Reserve System to write a white paper: Partnerships to Enhance Community Building.
• CSREES' federal partner, Cooperative Extension, is a member of Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, improving youth financial literacy.


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Events

• Junior Achievment Worldwide Leadership Conference, Boston, MA, July 20-24, 2009
• Grantsmanship Workshops, November 10-11, 2009, Kansas City, MO; Embassy Suites Kansas City - International Airport
• Grantsmanship Workshops, November 18-19, 2009, Washington, D.C.; Marriott Crystal Gateway


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Selected Results and Impacts

• The National Research Symposium on Financial Literacy and Education releases list of 10 recommended research priorities.
• The National Endowment for Financial Education has launched the 2007 NEFE High School Financial Planning Program.
• NEFE® High School Financial Planning Program® (NEFE®) is an effective curriculum that teaches lifelong financial planning skills to youth.


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Resources

• Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation. Free research and resources to show employers the value of providing financial education to employees.
• eXtension provides research-based, reliable, timely personal finance online learning lessons, frequently asked questions, and an ask the expert feature.
• Small Steps to Health and Wealth; Cooperative Extension's major health finance initiative.


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Contacts

Jane Schuchardt