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Community Colleges as hubs for workforce development

and asset-building:

Applying the Center for Working Families Model

September 24, 2010

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The Challenge

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to help families make critical changes in their lives through workforce development training.

But students also need financial supports to realize their educational and career goals.

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The CWF Approach

Pioneered by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and now supported by other major funders, the CWF approach integrates services and access to a full range of essential economic supports in a convenient location to help families build self-sufficiency, stabilize their finances, and move ahead. 

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CWF Service Categories

Employment/ Career Services

Income/ Work Supports

Financial Services / Asset Building

Job readiness, job placement

Public benefits access Educational workshops and financial literacy classes

Hard skills training, job placement

Tax credits One-on-one financial coaching and counseling

Career Advancement: education and skill training, advising

Student financial aid Financial services products: access to better priced products (check cashing, loans, savings)

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Community colleges adopting CWF focus on:

• Financial literacy classes

• Access to public benefits

• Matched savings programs

• Low cost financial products

• Financial coaching

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Financial Coaching

Philosophy:

Asset building happens in small steps over a lifetime, so changing behaviors matters.

People understand clearly what they want out of life.

People are capable of and responsible for achieving their goals.

Focus is on personal goals and improving financial behavior over time.

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Lesson #1

By linking with ongoing initiatives colleges can reach hundreds of students relatively quickly.

Examples: Successnet at Des Moines Area Community College, Arkansas Career Pathways at Phillips Community College

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Lesson #2

Colleges can interact with participant students over longer time periods (1 to 2 years) in order to achieve significant economic gains.

Example: Central New Mexico Community College

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Lesson #3

Because colleges are already providing training and financial aid, it is easier to integrate services across 2 or 3 CWF areas.

Many colleges are achieving 80% and above integration in first year of implementation.

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Lesson #4

Colleges are often starting a CWF approach in Basic Skills programs and then attempting to expand to other departments and campuses.

This is difficult and requires leadership buy-in and support.

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CWF Learning Network

Community colleges can access a web site for updates on strategies, tools, results, and case studies; attend workshops and conferences; participate in a financial coaching training; and obtain further information about topics such as behavioral economics, data systems, and benefits access.

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for more information:

Colin Austincaustin@mdcinc.org(919) 968-4531 ex. 321