Hey there, Financial Education Network friends!

Whoo hoo! We finally have some sun - get out the sunscreen!

Though we're heading rapidly toward summer, I know a lot of folks have a lot going on. As a reminder, please share with us any highlights, updates or events you would like to share with the more than 3,500 members of this distribution list. When you have something you'd like to share with the network via this monthly email update - please send it to DFISocial@dfi.wa.gov 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. 

DFI is seeking an energetic, bilingual outreach coordinator who is passionate about financial education

Our previous bilingual financial education outreach coordinator has moved on to another state agency, and we are hoping to fill the position in the coming month. The posting will be out next week. If you know any recent college graduates who are looking for work, who love meeting new people, would like to travel Washington State and have a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of the people who call Washington "home" - please send them to our Careers at DFI page.

DFI Next Generation Financial Leaders Workshop

The Next Generation Financial Leaders workshop is scheduled for Monday, July 24 – Thursday, July 27.  The Monday and Thursday of the workshop will be conducted at Highline College in Des Moines, hosted by DFI.  We will have several informative sessions and panels with industry and regulatory leaders sharing openly about their career path, hiring processes, and information to help students feel safe and confident in this industry.  Tuesday and Wednesday of the event will be hosted onsite at local banks and credit unions.  

Our goal is to have 15 students (18 or older) attending the event, and we are also going to have mentors engaged with them throughout. 

Meet one of our mentors, Mark Vasquez. He comes from the financial industry, is a current DFI manager, is bi-lingual in English and Spanish, and has been an active part of his community from coaching football to volunteering with the Latino Leadership Network.

Students do not have to be a business school major.  We welcome all college students or rising college students to apply who have an interest.   Students may apply online here.

The Center and Council for Economic and Financial Education and FEPPP announce the Washington Personal Finance Challenge

The Financial Challenge is a free, on-line personal finance competition for high school and middle school students in Washington. Teachers can enter students to take the multiple-choice exams during a three hour-window of their choosing between May 22 and 9 p.m. on May 26. Students take the exam, and results are announced on June 30. It’s that easy. (Detailed contest rules can be found on the registration website).

Fame and Fortune (Recognition and Prizes):

  • Student Prizes:

    • First Place: $100 gift card

    • Second Place: $75 gift card

    • Third to Fifth Place: $50 gift card

    • Students who place in the top 10% will be named Personal Finance Experts, and receive a certificate in recognition of their achievement.

  • Teacher Prize: The teacher with the highest average student scores will receive a $150 gift card (minimum class size for eligibility 15).

  • Recognition: A press release will be sent to area news outlets publicizing the schools that participate in the Finance Challenge.

Visit the Washington Finance Challenge website for more details and register for the Challenge.

Financial Education Grant Available in iGrants May 1, 2023

Starting May 1, districts & other LEAs (e.g., tribal and charter schools) are invited to apply for a grant to support professional development (PD) for financial education in Washington. The State Legislature has authorized a one-year grant of $7.50 per enrolled student for each school district for the purpose of integrating financial literacy education, as defined by state standards, into professional development for certificated staff, subject to appropriation.

Grants are available for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years, with each district only allowed to receive grant funds for one (1) year. Application opening May 1st is for the 2023-2024 school year, and districts not awarded grants for 2023-2024 will be eligible to apply for 2024-2025 or 2025-2026.

Only districts & other LEAs (e.g., tribal and charter schools) are eligible and while districts can collaborate with other organizations, grant funds flow through district awards.

The grant is managed by the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) and applications for 2023-2024 school year will be received from May 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023. 

FEPPP will be hosting application walk-throughs throughout May.  

Grant Application Walkthrough Webinars (click on date to register for webinar)

View the Grant Guidance flier for more information or email FEPPP.

2023 Youth Leadership Conference

DFI is pleased to be participating June 3 in a day of workshops, presentations and resource tables hosted by the Consejo Counseling and Referral Service. The event will include raffles, guest speakers, prizes, a resource fair, and musical performances.

When: June 3, 2023

7:30 – 8:45 a.m. Check-in/breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Conference

Where: Surprise Lake Middle School

2001 Milton Way, Milton, WA 98354

Who: Grades 7-12/Free to public!

Workshop Presentations on:

  • Mental Health Awareness

  • Art Therapy

  • Mindfulness Training

  • LGBTQ+ Gender Identity

  • Sobriety and Substance use

  • Trauma

  • Healthy Relationships & Sexual Assault Awareness

  • Navigating Cultural Identity

Learn more about this event here 

FEPPP Financial Fellows Opportunity

Apply now to be a part of the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) Fellows Program. 

This is an opportunity for educators around the state to be a leader in K-12 financial education. Become an advocate, trainer and mentor to other educators, mainly about personal finance curriculum. We are looking for representatives from each ESD.

Program Details:

What: FEPPP Financial Fellows Program

  • Day 1 – Introduction to FEPPP professional development model.

  • Day 2 you will receive instruction on how to move from instruction to training.

  • You may be required to teach a 1-to-3-hour professional development opportunity on behalf of FEPPP within 6 months.

  • These trainings will be conducted with an experienced FEPPP Fellow and a program mentor. You will be compensated for the formal trainings as funds are available. 

When:  June 29 & 30, 2023

Where: Spokane, WA (will provide details upon acceptance)

Participants in the Financial Fellows Mentor Training Program will receive:

  1. Two-night lodging for participants who qualify.

  2. Meals provided at the training.

  3. Allowable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

  4. Free financial education materials.

  5. Up to 14 free clock hours.

  6. Opportunity to serve as a Mentor/Trainer for the FEPPP.

Please read Roles and Responsibilities BEFORE completing the application.

Roles and Responsibilities found here: Roles and Responsibilities

CFPB to distribute more than $22 million to consumers harmed by Burlington Financial Group’s debt relief and credit repair scams

This month, 6,523 people who were misled by Burlington Financial Group with false promises that it would eliminate their credit-card debts and improve their credit scores will receive a check in the mail. Burlington Financial Group was a Maryland-based debt-relief and credit-repair company that marketed and sold debt-relief and credit-repair services to people nationwide from January 2016 until at least September 2019 and collected fees from them until at least August 2020.

Read the full press release here.

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