AFA Year-end Report

FINANCIAL STABILITY.

FAMILY SUCCESS.

Advancing Family Assets (AFA) serves low-wage working families through the provision of high-quality support services in line with individual success plans that address the whole family in the areas of income, education and health. AFA Family Success Coaches work to ensure that adults will be prepared to succeed in the workplace and children will graduate ready to enter the workforce or post-secondary education without remediation. AFA helps give families chances for success. AFA benchmarks of family success include: • Adult head of household has maintained full-time employment for six or more months.

• Family is “banked.”

• Credit score of adult(s) above 640.

• Children stay on track to graduate.

Since AFA began providing coaching services to families in spring 2009, 127 families have participated, for a total of 156 adults and 262 children. Families identified their strengths and challenges, and made plans toward financial stability and family success. As a result, hundreds of individuals have improved their lives.

Consider just a few examples of how United Way is driving lasting change through improved financial stability.

2012-2013 YEAR-END REPORT October 2013

United Way of Racine County

FAMILY SUCCESS STORY Tiniesha already had some ideas of what she wanted to work on when she, Donnell and their two children came to Advancing Family Assets in August 2009 looking to improve their lives. With encouragement and direction from her AFA coach, Tiniesha graduated from Gateway Technical College in May 2012 with an Associate’s degree in Human Services. She has gained part time employment as a peer advocate for the Step Up program at Gateway Technical College. She obtained her driver’s license and learned how to better manage her money. The family moved out of public housing, Tiniesha and Donnell got married, and he has completed a construction apprenticeship program. Tiniesha and her family are now part of the AFA alumni group. She shares, “The AFA program has not only inspired me to become a successful individual, but a healthy and loving mother and wife to my family.”

AFA ALUMNI GROUP The AFA Alumni Group (AAG) is for families who have been enrolled in AFA for 9 months or longer, achieved goals outlined in their Individual Success Plans, and met selected AFA benchmarks, demonstrating the ability to successfully manage areas of their family life. On June 17, 2013, the first class of 10 families was inducted at a dinner sponsored by Caron and Andrea Butler. Racine native Caron Butler, NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks, and his wife are avid supporters of AFA and the United Way of Racine County. AFA families were presented with alumni certificates and special gifts.

AFA's alumni families will continue on their paths to success by engaging in regular coaching sessions with their AFA coaches, networking at quarterly informational or educational meetings, and helping to mentor other AFA families. Additional families will enter the alumni group each quarter, opening coaching slots for new families.

INCOME

GOAL

Families establish durable connections with the mainstream economy.

EMPLOYMENT AND ASSETS MANAGEMENT AFA adults still struggle to secure stable, full-time employment, although many increase employabilit y through training, education, and work experience. Average hourly wages have increased over the past year. The longer families remain in AFA, the more they improve their employability, hourly wage, and ability to manage their own financial assets. Families continue to pay off bad debt while working toward improved credit scores and access to credit.

INCOME BENCHMARKS - Status at Year-end (June 30)

AFA Families June 2013

AFA Families June 2012

70%

83%

14%*

36%

45%

3%**

Families are “banked.” (savings and/or checking accounts)

74%

76%

89%

Households pay bills on time.

81%

62%

88%

Households use budgets or spending plans.

94%

69%

46%

Have emergency funds. (11% of AFA families saved for 2 months rent)

60%

21%

33%

Individuals have retirement accounts.

30%

14%

63%

Adults in AFA households have some type of employment

U.S. Families 2010

(*U.S. working adults in poverty ages 18 - 64: 2012 U.S. Census)

AFA heads of households have full-time employment. (**U.S. working adults in poverty working full-time - 2012 U.S. Census)

PROGRESS INDICATORS - Intake to June 2013 •

increase in adult heads of households with some type of employment - up 17%

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increase in households “banked” - up 36%

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increase in families with savings - up 30%

•

increase in participants understanding credit reports and knowing own credit score - up 87%

CHANGE IN CREDIT SCORES A key AFA indicator of financial stability is a credit score of 640 or better, allowing families to qualify for loans, such as home mortgages. From Intake (blue) to Current (red), one third of families have maintained about the same credit score since they started AFA, but 36% have increased credits scores by 25 points or more since intake, many up 100 points or more. Currently eight AFA families have scores above 640, with another seven above 600 points.

HEALTH

GOAL

Families maintain healthy lifestyles.

HEALTH BENCHMARKS - Status at Year-end (June 30)

Comments

Family members have health insurance.

92%

Coverage from state or employer.

Young children are on-track for healthy development.

89%

Based on normed results of ASQ screening of children from birth to age 6.

AFA family members are relatively accident-free.

96%

Two children had sports-related injuries.

Family members remain drug-free and alcohol “binge free”.

96%

One participant enrolled in treatment program.

Family members become/remain tobacco-free.

70%

Comparable to estimates of Racine County adult non-smokers at 74%.

Family remained free of domestic abuse/violence.

94%

Two incidents - 1 family referred to counseling; one youth enrolled in PSG juvenile program.

Family remained free of incidents of child abuse/neglect.

98%

AFA coach considered parent neglectful due to drinking problem.

Biological fathers are engaged in the lives of their children in positive ways.

50%

30% of children have positive male role models(other than own fathers) in their lives.

Families live in safe, healthy home environments.

70%

Several homes deemed unsafe due to mold present and other structural issues.

(based on home safety assessments conducted on site)

OTHER FAMILY STABILITY INDICATORS

HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

HEALTH PARTNERS

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37 participants attended Summer 2012 Wellness Series.

Topics included preparing healthy meals, the effects of food on emotions, and “Super Foods.”

YMCA provides free one-year memberships (36 families),

41 attended Fall 2012 Wellness Series. Topics included cancer awareness, emotional wellness, and healthy cooking for the holidays.

and wellness series speakers; WFHC All Saints provides

66 AFA participants attended Parenting Discussions with Dr. Soheila Brouk and Gateway Technical College students on topics of communication, co-parenting, discipline and providing support for special needs children.

related occupations; Nutritional Design & Pharmacy provides

•

•

wellness series speakers, and use of space at new (facility); The Jane Cremer Foundation provides free mammograms funding for AFA health project for AFA families and free CPR and First Aid classes for AFA participants who are in healthwellness series speakers and wellness consultations.

EDUCATION

GOAL

Children are prepared to achieve academic/vocational success.

EDUCATION BENCHMARKS - Status at Year-end (June 30)

Comments

Preschoolers are school-ready - Developmentally on track (based on ASQ3 screening results).

89%

Some children scored lower in the fine motor and communication skills categories.

Children/youth are engaged in afterschool programs.

78%

Protective factor of 3+ hours per week in structured out-of-school time activities.

Children are on track to graduate/graduate on time.

98%

Children are receiving passing grades and promoted to next grade level.

ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING •

20 adults currently in school: business management, health professional occupations program, registered nurse, criminal justice, human services, nursing program, information technology, sociology, early childhood development, and medical administrative assistant fields.

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15 adults achieved degrees or certifications in the past year: GED, medical assistant degree, CNA certification, medical administrative assistant associate degree, child development credential certification, CPR certification, CCNA, high school diploma, and licensed kinder music teacher.

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30 individuals received one-on-one employability training/support from the AFA Job Coach with ten participants pursuing National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC).

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23 AFA participants attended Career Day, sponsored in partnership with Gateway Technical College.

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113 AFA family members attended Breezing Through the Holidays, the annual budgeting workshop and holiday party hosted

by Educators Credit Union at their conference center. ECU continues to provide credit reports, credit rebuilder loans for families, banking products, and AFA staff training. ECU was also on site during the VITA income tax preparation program to educate families on the importance of getting banked and budgeting.

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS At the annual August AFA Back to School Event, 54 children received school supplies and parents learned about local educational resources.

Sponsors included Gateway Technical College (student volunteers, space, speakers), City of Racine (backpacks), Olive Garden restaurant (dinner), Journal Times Good Fellers (grant) and a host of other local businesses and organizations.

PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIAL Advancing Family Assets has been such a blessing to my family. My coach has been more than just a coach. She has become a great accountability partner. She has helped me build a solid foundation for my family. Through AFA, I received support in all areas of life from finances to guidance on behavior issues with my son to emotional support when making some tough decisions.”

Melissa Grigg, AFA Alumni Group Member

AFA MILESTONES 2007

2011

In 2007, the Racine County Workforce Development Board began a

AFA Expansion Campaign conducted with a goal of $600,000 to

strategic planning process to address employment issues in Racine

cover a three-year period to support additional coaches to meet the

County.

AFA service goal of 500 families by 2020; campaign goal achieved by fall 2012.

2008 In May 2008, the Higher Expectations plan document was released

Advancing Family Asset’s completes its second year of program

to the public with the vision statement: “By 2020, we seek to

implementation, July 2010 – June 2011 with a total of 69 families

develop a vital, dynamic economy characterized by a workforce that

served, 35 families active at year-end (45 adults and 77 children).

is fully employed.”

AFA Strategic Goal Action Plan progress reported; action plans for Advisors meeting around the challenge of “supporting stronger,

2011-12 developed.

more financially stable families” agreed that United Way of Racine County would be the best organization to work with the community

2012

to address Challenge 2 of Higher Expectations with the following

Advancing Family Assets completes its third year of program

charge: Convene a broad-based group; create a plan of action;

implementation, July 2011 – June 2012 with a total of 85 families

measure progress of families; implement cycles of planning &

served, 35 families active at year-end (42 adults and 71 children).

implementation. United Way hosts several community planning meetings and begins to build a model to address Challenge 2.

2013 Advancing Family Asset’s completes its fourth year of program

2009

implementation, July 2012 – June 2013 with a total of 127 families

By June, 2009, a business plan for AFA outlines key program

served, 54 families active at year-end (68 adults and 118 children).

components such as family success coaching and Individual Success Plans, broad goals in the areas of income, education and

Summer 2013: The AFA Sustainability Plan is completed and

health, and the mission of “measurably increasing financial and

reviewed by United Way’s AFA Sustainable Operations Team with

family stability with all AFA families having heads of household

following recommendations approved: 1) Revisit mission, vision,

who are employed.”

long-term goals and core values; 2) Keep current on the issues faced by low-wage working families; 3) Complete AFA model; 4)

2010

Increase rate of number of families entering AFA and making

Advancing Family Asset completes its first full year of program

progress; 5) Utilize Continuous Improvement Tools and Strategies;

implementation, July 2009 – June 2010 with 49 families served (66

6) Create a two-year implementation plan for the AFA Alumni Group;

adults and 118 children). Mission is revised: By 2020, Advancing

7) Increase number of families served in western Racine County;

Family Assets will have measurably increased financial stability and

8) Publish documents on AFA family progress on a regular basis;

family success in at least 500 low-wage working families.

9) Conduct a formal Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis; 10) Keep current on the market trends that impact the organization;

Summer 2010: United Way staff and volunteers, AFA staff and other

11) Plan to implement proposed marketing strategies; 12) Conduct

community leaders participate in strategic planning sessions.

shared personnel time study to calculate actual costs of AFA;

2010-12 Strategic Goals were determined for the following:

13) Standardize the hiring process for AFA staff; 14) Create a

Increase AFA brand recognition; Attract/retain AFA participant

leadership succession plan for AFA director; 15) Develop volunteer

families that meet target criteria; Demonstrate measurable

recruitment/ management plan; 16) Develop a risk management

progress in AFA families; Improve capability of AFA staff, volunteers

plan; 17) Create a facilities operations plan for AFA offices; and, 18)

and participants; Successfully engage specific sectors: faith-

Diversify future revenue base.

based, schools, health care, business; Define roles and lines of responsibility and authority for AFA management; and, Secure

June 2013: Ten families are inducted into the start-up of the AFA

necessary resources to achieve AFA’s mission.

Alumni Group.

ABOUT ADVANCING FAMILY ASSETS...

Advancing Family Assets is a community impact initiative of United Way of Racine County, providing direct services to low income families and developing a model that includes state-of-the-art coaching methods, utilization of existing community resources, continuous improvement strategies (Lean) and measuring desired organizational and participant outcomes.

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We believe all AFA families have strengths and, with unconventional support, are capable of making positive changes.

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We believe all AFA families aspire to be better, can overcome challenges to meet their goals, and deserve support and encouragement.

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We believe all AFA families can be successful, serve as positive role models for their children and community, and become independent in the management of their own lives.

For additional information on Advancing Family Assets, to schedule a meeting with AFA staff, or to refer families, contact AFA Director Kimberly Payne at 262-456-4701.

LOW-WAGE WORKING FAMILIES IN RACINE COUNTY New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the number of low-income working families in the United States increased to 10.4 million in 2011, up from 10.2 million a year earlier. In Wisconsin, 29 percent of working families are considered low-income.The median household income (50% of households make more than this number and 50% make less than this number) is about $33,500 in the city of Racine, $51,000 for Racine County and $49,000 for Wisconsin. City of Racine has a higher percentage of people living in poverty than the county as a whole or the state.

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AFA Eligibility Criteria

Family Support Funds

Eligible families are those who express interest in improving their

While AFA families have made commitments to achieve

lives through participating in AFA, are motivated to work towards

positive change in several areas of their lives, low-wage

goals related to income, education and health, and meet the

working families are particularly vulnerable to financial set-

following criteria:

backs from everyday challenges such as a car breaking down

• family includes at least one child under age 18 in the household; • family resides in Racine County; • head of household is employed or has a recent work history; and • family income is at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Family Support Funds provide a small measure of financial relief to families when they experience crisis situations or need immediate funds to offset enrichment expenses.

Many AFA children and adults benefitted from enrichment funding for expenses such as GED tests, certifications

AFA Income Eligibility # in Family

or needing to pay certain fees for children’s programs. AFA

Maximum Income per month

2

$31,020 or $2,585

3

$39,060 or $3,255

4

$47,100 or $3,925

5

$55,140 or $4,595

6

$63,180 or $5,265

7

$71,220 or $5,935

8

$78,260 or $6,605

For each additional person, add $8,040 or $670 per month.

(nursing aide), Mrs. Myers’ Reading Room program, Young Leaders Academy, summer camp, and recreational activities.

Some crisis expenses that were paid this past year include car repairs, partial utility payments and gas cards. To be eligible for Family Suppor t Funds, a family must be an active participant in AFA for at least 90 days and complete an application for review by an advisory team, presenting a valid, documented need for support. In 2012-13, $11,039 from the Family Support Fund were approved for crisis support with $2,504 granted for enrichment activities.

1220 Villa Street  Racine, WI 53403  262-456-4701  www.unitedwayracine.org

United Way of Racine County