| November
8, 2006 / Issue 1.3
Dear Members,
I am pleased to announce that the California Jump$tart
Coalition has a new web site. Please visit it and while
you’re there, submit your upcoming events, success
stories and any news and updates you have to share with
our members. We look forward to working with you to
increase exposure for and access to CA Jump$tart member
activities.
MEMBER
NEWS AND UPDATES
It’s a Habit. It’s
been an exciting year for CA Jump$tart Coalition member
It's a Habit! and its main character Sammy Rabbit. The
Los Angeles-based financial literacy, life skills, and
publishing company uses a multimedia, family approach
to financial education, integrating lessons on reading,
writing, character, leadership, and money management.
This year It’s a Habit! made over 60 author and
character appearances in six states, reading and promoting
saving to more than 10,000 students, parents, teachers,
and community leaders. It’s a Habit! also launched
a new music CD, Mission 1 Celebrate Saving - which received
a 5-star Dove Foundation family seal of approval - and
a training guide. For more information, visit It's
a Habit.
Legislative Watch, CA AB 2466.
This bipartisan bill, sponsored by the Asset Policy
Initiative of California (APIC) and the New America
Foundation, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger
in September. It amends current CalWORKs legislation
to exclude retirement savings (401ks, etc) and college
savings (529 accounts) from the asset-means tests for
public assistance eligibility. By allowing families
to save in structured plans while they're receiving
temporary assistance, they can build assets that make
them less likely to need public assistance in the future.
The new law also includes financial management training
as an allowable work activity for CalWORKs recipients.
Read the text of the new law here.
FINANCIAL LITERACY RESOURCES
H.I.P. Pocket Change from the U.S. Mint. This financial
literacy web site, sponsored by the United States Mint,
provides educational materials designed to help young
people begin to grow into fiscally responsible adults.
Click here
to find a variety of fun activities and lesson plans that
promote basic economic understanding for use in kindergarten
through high school classrooms.
Who Will Own Our Children?
Last month the National Association of State Boards
of Education released “Who Will Own Our Children?,”
a report highlighting the national imperative for financial
education standards. Most Americans can no longer rely
on pensions and Social Security to provide lifelong
financial security. But, as this report shows, neither
are they equipped with the knowledge and skills to secure
their futures. I encourage you to read this important
report (click here
to download a PDF) and then to take advantage of the
resources and networking opportunities available through
the California Jump$tart Coalition to help us build
a stronger financial future for all Californians.
Jim Greenwood
Chair
CA Jump$tart Coalition
info@cajumpstart.org
http://www.cajumpstart.org
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