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Forward Alliance Committee dedicated to improving the understanding of and access to financial resources for people with disabilities and their families. Ginny Powell & Ed Leahy Omaha EITC Coalition
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Mission: The Omaha EITC Coalition promotes the claiming of tax credits through quality volunteer tax return preparation with a goal of providing educational tools and community resources for family asset development. Vision: The Coalition promotes financial stability through empowered customers who use tax credits and tax refunds to own and maintain assets. Values: Inclusiveness, Non-partisanship, Customer Empowerment, and Quality Service
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Success in the Field-How do we do it? Find a champion …to help… Educate staff …so they… Ask clients …where are you now, and… Educate clients …where you can be, then… Use the answers …to… Become a trusted resource …and… Make a difference! Not this field
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Goodwill Industries Goodwill’s Mission: Goodwill Changes Lives and Strengthens Communities through Education, Training, and Work. ▫Goodwill Industries is an agency partner in the Omaha EITC Coalition ▫Goodwill staff serve as an Advisory Board member, subcommittee chair, volunteer trainer and tax preparer ▫Give and receive complimentary, not competing services ▫Provide meeting space for Coalition meetings, subcommittees, and special events
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Educate your staff All volunteers receive disability awareness training Training on tax implications and credits relating to disability issues Refreshers right before the tax season
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Ask your clients Survey that gathers socioeconomic information Money Menu Tax Preparation discussion
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PWD Troublesome Bills
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Tax Year 2010 PWD Refund Use
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Educate Clients Understanding taxes Public Benefits screening Credit reports Prescription Assistance programs Referrals to other supports in the community
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Intersection of Tax Preparation and Taxpayer Education Educational Interview & Personal Financial Goals Significant Taxpayer Involvement at Every Step Promotion of Services, Referrals, and Broader Financial Education
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Bank on the Heartland Coalition was a founding partner VITA provides the most meaning outreach of the effort to connect people to banks and credit unions
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Using the Answers You have a ton of research; what are you doing with it? Check your effectiveness Design new offerings Build new partnerships Educate the community Influence Policy
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Two-Year Comparison of Banked PWD
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PWD Refund Use
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Forward Alliance-Action Steps Improved Volunteer Training on Disability Issues Incorporated outreach activities year-round Increase VITA sites in disability agencies Formalized Forward Alliance Committee, developing a more intentional relationship with NDI, and expanding membership in Forward Alliance
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Forward Alliance Campaign Raise Awareness of the Needs of Persons with Disabilities ▫Sensitivity Training for our Members ▫Public Outreach at VITA Sites Persons with Disabilities are a year-round focus ▫Over 5 years, 10% of our customers are Persons with Disabilities ▫Research shows 83% of Persons with Disabilities never filed for a tax credit Connect Taxpayers with Resources ▫Free tax preparation ▫Screening for Public Benefits Eligibility ▫Awareness of Drug Assistance Programs ▫Housing Programs & Education
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Become a Trusted Resource Turning a Transaction into a Relationship
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Make a Difference! VITA Impact in the Metro Area
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VITA’s 2011 Value to Omaha ServiceProcessValue Savings on Tax Prep Fees5072 returns x $220 (average tax prep fee) $1,115,840 EITC Refund Impact$2,467,084 x $1.50 (estimated economic impact per EIC dollar) $3,700,626 Total RefundsMost often spent to reduce debt, pay bills, or buy a major appliance. $8,261,321 Volunteer Hours6159 hours x $21.36 (value of volunteer time) $131,556 Credit Report Counseling196 x $100 (cost to pull score, counsel client) $19,600 Bank Accounts$100 x 85 accounts$8,500 ITIN Applications$75 x 126 accounts$9,450 Total$13,246,893
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At Your Service Ed Leahy Director Omaha EITC Coalition 3605 Q St Omaha, NE 68107 C: (402) 250-9781 O: (402) 546-1013, ext. 6210 F: (402) 734-8887 omahaeitc@cox.net www.fhasinc.org www.facebook.com/OmahaEITC Ginny Powell Customer Connect Manager Goodwill Industries 4805 N 72 nd Street Omaha, NE 68134 O: 402-231-1939 vpowell@goodwillomaha.org www.goodwillomaha.org
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