• NYC Financial Empowerment Centers (free one-on-one professional financial counseling)
• NYC SafeStart Account (safe starter bank account) 
• Tax Credit Campaign (free or low-cost tax filing options)
• SaveUSA Account (Tax Time savings product)

Additional Resources
Visit OFE’s Publications page 
Request a presentation about OFE programs and services for your staff or clients 

• Consumer and Personal Finance
  Offered in New York City, this intensive course created by OFE in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) is part of OFE’s effort to build capacity and high-quality programming in the financial education field.
  Download the course flyer 
  Visit CUNY Web site 
  
  
• AssetPlatform.org trainings on Budgeting, Savings, Debt, and Organizational Resources
  Trainings are free, but registration is required to access them. 
  
  
• EITCplatform training for providers offering low-income tax preparation
  Access Quality Reviewer and Amended Return trainings. Trainings are free, but registration is required to access them.

For Youth Practitioners and Teachers

• NEFE High School Financial Planning Program 
  Created by the National Endowment for Financial Education, this seven-unit Student Guide and Instructor’s Manual can help you teach personal finance in your classes or youth programs.
   
  
•  w!se Financial Literacy Certification Program 
  The program provides high school students with access to financial education and the opportunity to become certified financially literate. Teachers have access to training, educational resources, pre-tests, and online practice tests.

Learn best practices for dealing with specific issues you may encounter with clients.

*Items marked with an asterisk were featured at one of OFE’s Financial Education Network (FEN) Forums.

Financial Counseling: Challenges and Techniques

Financial Coaching

• Financial Coaching: A New Approach for Asset Building?  
  *A report for the Annie E. Casey Foundation prepared by PolicyLab Consulting Group, LLC.

Financial Counseling and Mental Health

• Depression/Anxiety Overview: Screening, Identification and Referral  
  *A presentation by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Depression Initiative.  
   
  
•  Staying in Balance: Managing Stress in an Uncertain Economy  
  *A toolkit, training, and materials created by the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC).

Financial Education Workshop Delivery

Developing Presentation Skills

•  Outreach and Messaging: Presentation Basics and Adult Learner Theory  

Teaching Adults in Classroom Settings

• Enhanced Financial Education Delivery through Adult Education Principles  
   
  
• Easy-to-Read NYC: Guidelines for Clear and Effective Communication  
  Prepared by the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.  
   
  
• Guidelines for Working with Adult Learners 
  Education Resources Information Center (ERIC).
  

The following resources can assist in designing new programs.

• Financial Health Assessment Tool  
  Used by NYC Financial Empowerment Center counselors, this intake form can help you guide counseling sessions and also track client outcomes.  
   
  
• Financial Education Core Competencies 
  Developed by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, these core competencies establish the basic concepts financial education program providers should cover.

OFE coordinates the Financial Education Network (FEN) that brings together a diverse community of educators, community organizations, and service providers to deliver financial education and counseling. The Network has more than 300 members; 70 provide direct service to the public and are listed in the FEN Directory.

OFE holds several FEN Forums annually to assist members with skill building and networking. Diverse topics have included immigrant services, legal referrals, and federal credit card policies. According to a fall 2008 survey, 88% of attendees found FEN Forums to be valuable networking events, and 76% reported that the FEN had succeeded in informing them about best practices in financial education.

Not a member of the FEN? Join the Network 

Below is a list of FEN Forums to date, with links to available presentations and resources. Note: All information is accurate as of the date delivered.

November 2011 - Accessing Your Cash in Today's Banking Landscape

• Overview 
•  FEN Mapping 
  A visual analysis that shows client and counselor relationships and social service referral partnerships among FEN members.
• Pew Health Group’s Policy Recommendations
  • Create a Disclosure Box for Checking Accounts 
  • Address Excessive Bank Overdraft Fees 
  • Require Transparent and Fair Bank Deposit and Withdrawal Processing Fees 

February 2011 - Taking Control of Debt: Helping Clients Defend Themselves against Unlawful and Aggressive Debt Collectors

• Agenda 
• Consumer Services Mediation    
  A presentation by DCA.
• Debt Collection and Defending Creditor Lawsuits 
  Information from Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP). 

October 2010 - Leveraging Public/Private Partnerships for Increased Resources

• Event Flyer 
• Demonstrating Outcomes: A Case Study of OFE's Financial Education Network and Financial Empowerment Centers 
  A presentation by DCA's Office of Financial Empowerment.

April 2010 - Understanding and Supporting Your Client: Techniques for Financial Counselors and Educators

• Agenda 
• Depression/Anxiety Overview: Screening, Identification and Referral 
  A presentation by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Depression Initiative 

September 2009 - Consumer Financial Protection and Credit Card Policy Reform

• Agenda 
• The Plastic Safety Net: How Households Are Coping in a Fragile Economy (Findings from a 2008 National Household Survey of Credit Card Debt Among Low- and Middle-Income Households)
  A report by Dēmos. 
• Final Rule Regarding Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 
  Information from Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 

July 2009 - Immigration and Financial Education

• Agenda 
• Immigration Assistance Service Providers and Consumer Rights    
  A presentation by DCA.
• NYC Immigrant Financial Justice Project  
  Information from Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP). 
• DCA's Using an Immigration Assistance Service Provider: Tips for Consumers 
  A guide with tips when using an immigration assistance service provider in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, and Russian; information about Executive Order 41; a model contract; and tips about Notario Público in English and Spanish.

April 2009 - Funders’ Perspective on Advancing the Field & Innovations in the Field: Aspen Institute and the Asset-Building Platform

• Agenda 
• Visit The Aspen Institute
• Access AssetPlatform.org
  AssetPlatform.org is a resource for financial education professionals. Membership is free but not required to access trainings.

February 2009 - Making Meaningful Legal Referrals

• Agenda 
• Financial Education Evaluation Initiative     
  A presentation by DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment.
• Click Strategic Legal Referrals in Get Tools section.

October 2008 - Medical Debt: A Barrier to Affordable Credit

• Agenda 
• Borrowing to Stay Healthy: How Credit Card Debt Is Related to Medical Expenses   
  A report by Dēmos.

July 2008 - Helping New Yorkers Deal with Debt Collection

• Agenda 
• DCA's Debt Collection Guide in English    Español    中文
• Debt Collection and Defending Creditor Lawsuits
  Information from Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP).

April 2008 - How to Keep Them Coming Back for More: Strategies for Sustained Engagement of Clients

• Agenda 
• Visit The Financial Clinic

March 2008 - Adult Education Principles and Financial Coaching

• Agenda 
• Enhanced Financial Education Delivery through Adult Education Principles     
  A presentation by DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment.
• Financial Coaching: A New Approach for Asset Building?    
  A report for the Annie E. Casey Foundation prepared by PolicyLab Consulting Group, LLC.
• Financial Coaching as an Asset-Building Strategy for Low-Income Families    
  A report by PolicyLab Consulting Group, LLC.

December 2007 - Financial Education Network: Improving Quality and Accessibility

• Financial Education Network     
  A presentation by DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment.