MICHAEL R. ROUSH, M.A. NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR NATIONAL DISABILITY INSTITUTE Financial Education for Youth with Disabilities

NDIs Work with Financial Education and Youth FDIC Money Smart Curriculum Building Assets & Promoting Choice and Community Participation for People with Disabilities Building Economic Strength Together Training for Teachers and Providers  Bank of America Financial Fitness for Life

National Disability Institute Building Assets & Promoting Choice and Community Participation for People with Disabilities Curriculum Designed and distributed a Financial Education and Asset Development curriculum for students and adults with developmental disabilities developed by the National Disability Institute that has been tested in the disability community. Uses the Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) Technique that compliments the Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Curriculum Covers Setting your own financial goals – what are your dreams? Managing your money and banking The Earned Income Tax Credit Individual Development Accounts Home and Business Ownership Social Security Work Incentive Programs

Activities Create recognition with financial institutions My Trip to the Bank Activity Locate a VITA Site in My Community Steps to Achieve the American Dream Creates Vision Boards

An Applied Curriculum Between classes, participants are asked to do homework to put the information into practice:  Go to a financial institution and find out about checking and savings accounts;  Find out if there is a VITA or Benefit Bank site near them;  Report back on their experiences; and  Develop their own financial goals.

Links to the local community The program also brings in speakers each week to talk about programs they can access in the community:  Free tax preparation;  IDA programs;  Ticket to Work and other employment opportunities;  Credit counseling, etc.

Piloted across the state Pilot tested in: North Carolina (Youth Transition Programs) Florida (Local Arcs and University Transition Program) Ohio (Disability organizations)

Building Economic Strength Together (B.E.S.T.) Program To convene groups of citizens with and without disabilities for the purpose of increasing their economic self sufficiency. Customized a six part financial and asset building curriculum for three target audiences; Students with intellectual disabilities; veterans with disabilities and the employment provider network. Adopted study circle model that promotes interactive and participatory learning and invites experts in the community to deliver content subjects.

The Arc Jacksonville On Campus Transition at UNF NDI BEST Jacksonville Project Graduates

“I learned that I can achieve my American Dream and that I can have a job after graduation to help me achieve my American Dream.” Graduate

“I am crushed by my silence” Passion and talent are key and needed when offering financial education to students with disabilities and can open the door for them to a achieve a better economic and truly create an inclusive environment.