CASE STUDIES
Attendees at the 2003
Learning for Life Conference identified several challenges
that were barriers to increasing economic & financial
literacy in Hawai`i. This year, the conference will feature
case studies that have successfully met (or are currently
meeting) those challenges head on.
| Challenges: |
lack of funds |
|
lack of marketing |
|
need for different
appeal to different age groups |
|
need to "keep
it real" -- taking a preventive not reactive approach
|
The YWCA's Camp $tart-Up is a nationally-acclaimed financial
literacy and entrepreneurial camp for girls, ages 14-19.
By working with young women during these formative years,
the YWCA exposes them to basic entrepreneurial and money-management
skills early on. The camp teaches young women to provide
for themselves and plan for their financial futures. 90%
of all women will have to support themselves economically
at some point in their lives. Yet women at all socio-economic
levels are unprepared for financial independence when
they reach adulthood. Girls from low-income families have
limited resources to attain educational and business goals.
Those from high-income backgrounds often assume that their
financial needs will be "taken care of."
This program opens the doors of opportunity for girls
who may not otherwise be exposed to the concepts of business,
finance and entrepreneurship. Additionally, participants
learn the value of financial independence and meet positive
female role models. Through Camp $tart-Up, the YWCA "turns
dreamers into achievers" and helps girls "find an income
of their own." Additional attention will be paid to recruitment
and enrollment challenges.
| Case
Study: |
Na
Wai Puapua`i: A Financial Literacy Curriculum Project |
| Challenge: |
Different cultures
look at economic/financial literacy differently |
The Center for Economic Education has formed a partnership
with InChargeŽ Institute to develop a comprehensive financial
literacy curriculum specifically focused for areas with
a high student enrollment of students of Native Hawaiian
ancestry. This partnership focuses on the development
and implementation of a comprehensive personal financial
literacy curriculum for grades K-12. The central theme
of the curriculum is Managing Money based on a rational
decision-making process. The foundation and critical element
of the curriculum is the development of decision-making
skills as links to questions for learning activities.
A Hawaiian interpretation of Na Wai Puapua`i as it relates
to the curriculum will be written as a foreword to the
curriculum. Through use of analogies or case studies for
each curriculum level from Ancient Hawaiian practices
will link the theme of rational decision-making to the
curriculum.
This presentation will focus on the challenges of designing
a curriculum sensitive to Native Hawaiian Culture and
implementing when school curriculums are so crowded.
| Challenge: |
Public is not
always aware of available resources |
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the nation's
largest and most powerful anti-poverty program in the
nation. The program is designed to supplement wages which
encourages work over welfare, and reduce the federal tax
liability of low-wage workers. Workers earning below a
certain level can get refunds of up to $4,000 even if
their wages are so low that they are exempt from paying
taxes. Despite the significant benefits it provides, two
factors hamper the effectiveness of the program: non-filers
and paid tax preparation. In Hawaii, an estimated $44
million of EITC went unclaimed by over 30,000 eligible
families in 2002. Of those that claimed the EITC, it is
uncertain how many lost a significant portion in tax preparation
fees and costly refund anticipation loans.
This case study will highlight successes and lessons
from the multifaceted San Francisco Bay Area campaign
with emphasis on the effort to provide financial education
and connect filers to local nonprofit services. It will
also provide information about the work of the Federal
Reserve Bank of San Francisco to encourage participation
and support of the EITC campaign by local banks.
| Challenge: |
Providing economic/financial
literacy services to immigrants from diverse cultures. |
The Hawai`i HomeOwnership Center's mission is "to provide
education, information and support to create successful
first-time homeowners in Hawai`i. By addressing barriers
and increasing rates of home ownership, HHOC aims to build
stronger communities throughout the state of Hawai`i."
There is a great emphasis placed on financial literacy,
goal-setting, and making the best choices. While our target
market is first-time homeowners, membership is open to
everyone, and we will help anyone interested in learning
more about the home ownership process.
Hawai'i is the gateway to the United States for many
immigrants, particularly Pacific Islanders, who come to
the United States to find new opportunities and a higher
standard of living. Early economic and financial literacy
education is imperative, but it can be a daunting task
to provide such services to people whose cultures and
languages are far removed from the American way of life.
The American banking system and other business concepts
are a mystery to them because they have nothing like it
at home. These immigrants are suspicious of what they
do not understand, so many remain unbanked even as they
fall prey to unscrupulous, and even predatory, businesses.
The solution, for immigrants and for all families, is
early preventative measures. People can't be expected
to know something they weren't taught, and therefore can't
be expected to pass on that knowledge. We teach our children
about the dangers of drugs in elementary school. We should
also be teaching them about the other things they will
face on a day-to-day basis so that they have the skills
they need to survive and thrive in our society.
This case study will focus on challenges related to
language, gender, and values.
| Challenge: |
How to create
economic literacy experiences for adults |
In 2003, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. and a
23-member advisory team led Maui County through Focus
Maui Nui, a comprehensive visioning process over a 14-week
period. Over 1,700 residents participated through 165
sessions which resulted in a rich articulation of the
vision, goals and values they desired for our community.
But the experience of each participant going through the
session was intended as a product of the process as well.
It was a 90-minute exercise that applied economics principles
in making choices about our future. This case study will
summarize the carefully designed session and how to create
economic literacy experiences for adults.
Info
| Agenda |
Goals | Speakers
| Case Studies
| Roundtables
Attendees
| Sponsors | Exhibitors | Econ
Lit Survey | 2003
Conference
Contact Elina Koretsky at cee@hawaii.edu
or 808-956-7009 for more information.
