Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Overall during this AES project period, I have served on the FAIM Council, and collaborated specifically with the West Central Community Action agency which is the grantee of the federal Assets for Independence grant that supports the FAIM network, community action agencies and other non-profit organizations that offer the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota programs across the sate of Minnesota. I supported new organizations to consider their program evaluation strategy, worked with FAIM coordinators and the FAIM council to develop and administrer a FAIM partners satisfaction survey, and am currently working with West Central Community Action agency to evaluate what data are available to conduct a reasonable evaluation study of FAIM participants. I have also collaborated with Minnesota Extension educators to offer the Financial Educator Certificate online program to three cohorts of community-based professionals who have completed the program and received their certificate. We are currently in our fourth cohort of learners. Changes/Problems:As explained earlier, a major change in the leadership of FAIM resulted in delays in access to the data and support of the project. I was able to provide technical assistance to an undergrad student who conducted a follow-up study of FAIM participants, but was not able to complete the planned study. I am still hopeful this will occur in the near future. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I have been able to work with newly-hired FAIM coordinators to understand and use the evaluation tools that I developed under this project. We are training community-based professionals to improve the quality of their financial education and coaching programs with low-income families. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Communicating results via the FAIM Council is integral to the project and is an ongoing endeavor. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Unfortunately, I have continued to experience challenges to obtaining and analyzing FAIM data. In 2015, the priimary leaders of FAIM retired. It has taken the past two years to build relationships with the new leadereship, and also allow them time to become familiar with their roles and the data they are collecting. I am still hopeful that we will be able to conduct a study and submit for publication. Objective 2: I am proud of the 10-module Financial Educator Certificate program that is offered online each year beginning in September and concluding in April. Participants are learning new knowledge and developing new skills. They are particularly appreciating our attention to helping them understand diverse families and how culture impacts the management of money. Our pilot year was successful; we continue to improve our modules based on feedback from participants. Currently, the 4th cohort is completing the program. We ahve shared our model at three conferences and have two manuscripts in preparation based on our data.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Solheim, C. A., & Ballard, J. (2016). Ambiguous loss due to separation in voluntary transnational families. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 8(3), 341-359. doi: 10.1111/jftr.12160.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Horner, S., Solheim, C., Zuiker, V. S., & Ballard, J. (2016). The link between childhood overindulgence and adult financial behaviors. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 27(1), 80-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1052-3073.27.1.80.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Solheim, C. A., Ballard, J., & Olson, P. D. (2016). Maintaining intergenerational solidarity in Mexican transnational families. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 4(1), 1-17.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Solheim, C. A., Zaid, S., & Ballard, J. (2015). Ambiguous loss experienced by transnational Mexican immigrant families. Family Process. doi:10.1111/famp.12130
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Deenanath, V., Solheim, C., Hendrickson, L., Katras, M.J., & Mao, D. (2016 November). Financial realities of low-income families: Learning from front-line professionals. Presented at the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Solheim, C. A., & Katras, M. J. (2015 July). The online financial educator certificate program: Investing in workforce capacity to deliver community-based financial education.
Presented at the Minnesota eLearning Summit, Minneapolis, MN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Deenanath, V., Solheim, C. A., Mao, D. & Xiong, P. (2014 November). Insiders insights: Assessing needs of Karen and Bhutanese refugee families in Minnesota. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Katras, M. J., Solheim, C., Mao, D., & *Deenanath, V. (2014 November). Financial educator certificate program. Presented at the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Annual Conference, Bellevue, WA
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Jang, J., Deenanath, V., & Solheim, C. A. (2015). Family members transnational migration, community contexts, and psychological distress in Mexican families. Family Science Review, 20(2), 94-112.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:My research focuses on limited-resource, immigrant, and refugee families. I collaborate with community-based organizations who serve these populations, primarily non-profit groups such as Community Action agencies, workforce centers, and mutual aid assistance organizations. Changes/Problems:There were changes in key personal in the FAIM program due to retirement which stopped the progress of this work for several months. New staff are now on board and the work has resumed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Twenty adult learners who deliver financial education to limited-resource families completed the 9-month (September 2014-May 2015) online Financial Educator Certificate Program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Graduates of the Financial Educator Certificate program are working in their respective agencies and organizations, applying the knowledge they have gained from the program into the programs they deliver to clients. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I will be conducting the analysis on the FAIM outcome and participant/partner satisfaction studies. We will graduate another cohort of the Financial Educator Certificate program in May 2016. We will begin a new cohort of the Financial Educator Certificate program beginning September 2016.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Data have been collected through the FAIM project over the past several years. This past year I worked with a small group of FAIM coordinators to design small evaluation research studies to answer questions about a) the development of financial capability, b) FAIM outcomes - asset retention and return on investment, c) satisfaction of FAIM participants, and d) satisfaction of FAIM partners. Data will be analyzed in 2016.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Solheim, C.A., *Zaid, S., & Ballard*, J. (2015). Ambiguous loss experienced by transnational Mexican immigrant families. Family Process. doi: 10.1111/famp.12130
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Solheim, C.A., *Ballard, J., *Kim, H., and Olson, P.D. (2015, accepted for publication in 2016). Maintaining intergenerational solidarity in Mexican transnational families. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Levchenko, P., & Solheim, C. A. (2015). Marriage migrants: Areas of potential vulnerability. Submitted to Violence Against Women.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Lee, C-Y. S., Lee, J., & Solheim, C.A. (2015 Revise and Resubmit). Familism and differentiation of self during emerging adulthood. Submitted to the Journal of Family Studies.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Peng, S., & Solheim, C.A. (2015 Revise and Resubmit). Negotiating two cultures: Hmong American college womens experiences of being a daughter. Submitted to the Hmong Studies Journal.
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The FEC's primary objective is to equip community-based professionals with requisite knowledge and skills to effectively deliver financial capability education. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have marketed the FEC through various networks in the state and have begun to reach beyond those boundaries. Currently, 3 FEC participants are located in states other than Minnesota. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I am really hopeful that we can access the FAIM data this spring and work on analysis and dissemination shortly thereafter.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: This project is ongoing due to technical glitches with my community partner's data base which houses the FAIM data. We are still working to access the data, which continue to be collected from agencies who implement the FAIM program. Goal 2: The Financial Educator Certificate Program (FEC) is an 10-module web-based developed to equip community-based professionals who work with limited resource individuals and families to develop their financial capability. The first pilot cohort was launched in September 2013. Eighteen individuals completed the program and were awared their certificate in spring of 2014. A second cohort of 25 individuals was launched in September 2014 and are in the process of completing the program. We have presented the model and program once at a national conference and are in the process of writing a manuscript.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Solheim, C.A., Zaid*, S., & Ballard*, J. (in press). Ambiguous loss experienced by transnational Mexican immigrant families. Family Process.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Solheim, C.A., Ballard, J.E., Kim, H., & Olson, P. (Submitted) Maintaining intergenerational solidarity in Mexican transnational families. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension.
|
Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Laotian (longer term refugees) and Karen (recent refugees from Burma) individuals, community-based professionals working in organizations that serve immigrant and refugee populations. Focus group participants are economically and educationally disadvantaged. All live below the poverty level and currently have high school degrees or less. Community-based professionals have higher levels of education and are economically less disadvantaged. However, their primary target audiences are refugees and immigrants, all who would be considered educationally and economically disadvantaged. Changes/Problems: As previously mentioned, the FAIM data base is not accessible in its current configuration. MinnCAP staff are working to fix the problems so that I can access those data. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? I am training two Family Social Science doctoral students who are involved in most aspects of the online Fiinancial Educator Certification program. I have also continued to hone my skills in creating and delivering online education. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? A report of the Lao focus group results was provided to the director of the Lao Center of Minnesota. We are currently discussing ways to use that information to develop programs and train their staff. A report of the Karen focus group results was provided to teachers and counselors at the school in which the three focus groups were held. We are currently discussing ways to use that information to develop programs and train their staff. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Hopefully, the FAIM data access problem will be solved and I can continue on that path. We will continue to conduct focus groups and interviews with refugee and immigrant individuals, families and professionals who work with them to add more depth and breadth to our understanding.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Objective 2: Year 2A and 2B; Year 3A: The online Financial Educator Certification program was launched in September 2013 with a pilot cohort of 15 learners who are scheduled to complete the course in April 2014. A 10-module curriculum was written and revised with input from University of Minnesota Extension educators and community partners. Community professionals were interviewed and video-taped on topics related to the curriculum. Videos were edited and are being used in the online course. Other learning tools created include Camtasia lectures, delivered primarily by me, assignments, quizzes, and discussion questions to engage learners in active participation. Each module is being evaluated upon completion to receive immediate feedback. A mid-point feedback session with selected learners provided input for mid-course correction. An comprehensive end-of-course evaluation is being developed. Goal 1: Due to a problem with the FAIM data base, the analysis and writing is on hold. However, an opportunity arose to conduct research in refugee communities to understand more about their financial capability strengths and challenges. To that end, we have accomplished four focus group interviews and seven key informant interviews with Laotian and Karen refugees and professionals who work with refugee and immigrant families. Data are currently being analyzed.
Publications
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: I published one invited article in a newsletter reaching key decision-makers in Minnesota. I presented research at a national disciplinary conference. I presented an overview of the financial education research to the JumpStart Coalition, a community-based financial education coalition. I worked with a team of Extension educators to create an educational program based on our agriculture workers from Mexico research which is currently being delivered via the Cooperative Extension system. I provided two legislative testimonies on the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program; one to the MN Senate Health and Human Services Finance Committee, and one to the MN House Health and Human Services Finance committee. PARTICIPANTS: Extension educators. Graduate students. Jumpstart Coalition. Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota Council. Miinnesota Community Action Partnership. TARGET AUDIENCES: Community-based human services staff. Agricultural employers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The research on Mexican agricultural workers and their families was published in a disciplinary journal which contributed to the understanding of immigrants who work in Minnesota, particularly in the agricultural industry. Perhaps more importantly, research results were used to develop an Extension program that is currently being delivered in rural communities, particularly in southeast Minnesota where a significant percent of the agriculture workforce is Latino. An educational program including a video that features research findings has received positive feedback with reports that employers, co-workers, and human service professionals are finding it helpful in their work. See publication list below for the website link for these materials. Solheim, C.A. (2011, April). Critical and daunting: The task of developing financially capable people. Presented at the Jumpstart Coalition's Annual Financial Literacy Month Seminar, St. Paul, MN. Jang, J., Deenanath, V., & Solheim, C.A. (2012). Depression of remaining family members of Mexicans migrating to the U.S. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ. Solheim, C.A., & Katras, M.J. (2012, September). Developing financial capability: What we know. Presented at the Minnesota Community Action Conference, Rochester, MN.
Publications
- Johnson, P., & Solheim, C.A. (2011). FAIM helps families build assets through Individual Development Accounts. MN Journal: Expanding the Civic Imagination. St. Paul, MN: Citizens League.
- Meraz, A., Solheim, C.A., Olson, P.D., and Burke, G. (2012). Supporting Agricultural Workers from Mexico: Balancing Work and Family. Materials on the University of Minnesota website.
|
Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: I was invited to testify to two committees in the Minnesota Legislature during the 2011 session about the impact of the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) program with which I've been involved as an evaluator. FAIM is a two-year program in which individuals save money for specific assets through individual development accounts, receive a public/private match for those savings, receive financial education and coaching, and purchase their asset (home, small business, post-secondary education or training): Solheim, C.A. (2011, March 8). How does the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program help working poor families build savings and financial assets? Testimony presented before the MN Senate Health and Human Services Finance Committee. Solheim, C.A. (2011, March 1). How does the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program help working poor families build savings and financial assets? Testimony presented before the MN House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. PARTICIPANTS: 1. Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) Council Minnesota 2. Community Action Partnership 3. University of Minnesota Extension TARGET AUDIENCES: 1. Minnesota Legislators 2. Supervisors and agriculture business managers who employ workers from Mexico PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Legislature cut funding for FAIM in the 2011 session. However, efforts to restore that funding is underway and I am supporting those efforts with evaluation data and literature reviews. 2. Supporting Agriculture Workers from Mexico is an educational program that uses a video and accompanying workshop materials that were developed from research (see Solheim, Rojas-Garcia, Olson, and Zuiker (2011) below). The target audience is supervisors and managers of agriculture enterprises and industries that employ workers from Mexico. The materials can be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/family/tough-times/farm-families/workers -from-mexico/.
Publications
- 1. Solheim, C.A., Rojas-Garcia, G., Olson, P.D., and Zuiker, V.S. (2011, Accepted for publication). Family influences on goals, remittance use, and settlement of Mexican immigrant agricultural workers in Minnesota. Journal of Comparative Family Studies.
- 2. Velasquez, J., Knatterud-Hubinger, N., Narr, D., Mendenhall, T., and Solheim, C. (2011). Mano a Mano: Improving health in impoverished Bolivian communities through community-based participatory research. Families, Systems, and Health.
- 3. Solheim, C.A., Zuiker, V.S., and Levchenko, P. (2011). Financial socialization family pathways: Reflections from college students narratives. Family Science Review, 16(2).
- 4. Johnson, P., and Solheim, C. (2011). FAIM helps families build assets. Minnesota Journal 28(2). Citizens League: St. Paul, MN.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Wrote three manuscripts currently under review: A. Solheim, C.A., Garcia, G.R., Olson, P.D., & Zuiker, V.S. (2010, Revise and Resubmit). Goals, remittances, and changing contexts: Family experiences of Mexican immigrant agricultural workers in Minnesota. Submitted to Journal of Comparative Family Studies. B. Solheim, C.A., Zaid, S.J., & Heuring, S. (2010, under review). A gold cage is still a cage: Ambiguous loss experienced by Mexican immigrant families. Submitted to Family Relations. C. Solheim, C.A., Zuiker, V.S., & Levchenko, P. (2010, under review). Financial Socialization Family Pathways: Reflections from college students' narratives. Submitted to Family Science Review. 2. Analyzed data from Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota data set for two presentations at national conferences: A. Solheim, C.A., Zaid, S.J., & Heuring, S. (2010, November). Ambiguous loss in Mexican immigrant families. Presented at the 2010 National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. B. Reinke, J., Jang, J., Zuiker, V.S., & Solheim, C.A. (2010, November). The bidimensional nature of acculturation in Mexican transnational families. Presented at the 2010 National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. 3. Developed outreach training video based on Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota data set: Alba Meraz, A., Solheim, C.A., Burke, G., & Olson, P.D. (2010). Supporting agricultural workers from Mexico: Balancing work and family demands. A Video & Discussion-Based Program from an Immigrant's Perspective. 3. Presented workshop for Hmong Women's Leadership Organization on money management and asset development: Solheim, C.A. (2010, February 11). Money $en$e. 4. Presented summary of research findings on asset development and financial education to Minnesota Legislature Ladder out of Poverty Taskforce: Solheim, C.A. (2010, November 18). What do we know about what works in financial education 5. Developing a financial education certification program for students and non-profit agency staff; garnered grant support, convened steering committee, consulted with University colleagues. 6. Two manuscripts in development states: A. Home Retention in Limited Resource Families who Participated in FAIM. B. Community-University Partnership Resulting in Evaluation Plan and Implementation. PARTICIPANTS: Partner Organizations: Minnesota Department of Human Services - Office of Economic Opportunity; Minnesota Community Action Partnership; Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota Network; Greater Twin Cities United Way; MN Legislature; MN Legislature Office on the Economic Status of Women. Collaborators: Georgina Rojas Garcia- CIESAS, Mexico City, Mexico. Training for Professional Development: Seven Family Social Science Graduate Students. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences include non-profit staff who serve limited-resource families across the state of Minnesota; Hmong women; Extension educators who provide educational outreach programs for farmers and non-profit staff who work with immigrants from Mexico. Efforts include the development of outreach video and training materials based on resarch project on agricultural workers from Mexico; the development of the FAIM evaluation plan and related data collection tools that are being used statewide to evaluate the FAIM program; service on financial education work group of the 2010-2011 Ladder out of Poverty task force established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2010. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Since July 2009, as a result of my collaboration with the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) network, 28-plus Minnesota community action and other non-profit agencies serving low-income families are using data collection instruments developed by me. They are collecting these data from FAIM participants at enrollment, post-education, and exit. Data are being submitting to a central data base, VISIONS, managed by the MN Community Action Partnerhip. I am currently conducting preliminary analysis of these data.
Publications
- Solheim, C.A., & Yang, P.N.D. (2010). Understanding generational differences in financial literacy in Hmong immigrant families. Family & Consumer Science Research Journal, 38(4), 435-454.
|
Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) project: In July 2009, the evaluation system for collecting on-going output and outcome indicators for the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota was fully implemented. I have been the primary designer of this system in collaboration with a steering committee of community non-profit and government agency partners. I assisted in training local agency workers on data collection and data base input. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Still in data collection phase for FAIM evaluation project
Publications
- Soheim, C.A., & Yang, P.N.D. (2009 Revise and Resubmit). Understanding
Generational Differences in Financial Management in Hmong Immigrant Families.
Family and Consumer Science Research Journal.
- Solheim, C.A., Rojas, G. R., Olson, P.D., Zuiker, V.S., & Saravi, G. (2009
Revise and Resubmit). Migration, an extreme economic strategy: The dynamic
interactions among goals, resources, and family relationships in transnational
Mexican families. Family Relations.
|
Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Pilot study asset retention and long-term economic well-being of FAIM graduates' data were collected during the summer/fall of 2008 with Duluth Community Action. Data are being cleaned with report and subsequent manuscripts to be written in 2009. 2. A follow-up asset retention study was conducted in fall 2008 with FAIM pilot project home owners. Data are being verified with reports to be written in 2009. 3. I created a data collection instrument for the Women's Initiative for Empowerment (WISE), an immigrant serving non-profit agency, to evaluate their Financial Literacy for Immigrants and Refugee programs. Data were collected by WISE and I am analyzing results to support their grant evaluation requirements. 4. I presented the comprehensive FAIM data collection model at two national conferences in 2008; The Northwest Area Foundation Grassroots & Groundworks Conference in Bloomington, MN in May 2008 and the Assets Learning Conference in Washington, D.C. September 2008. 5. I was an invited participant in the U.S. Treasury and Agriculture National Symposium on Financial Literacy Research in October 2008. 6. I presented an evaluation session at the May 2008 Financial Fitness Conference in Alexandria, MN. PARTICIPANTS: Family Assets for Independence Minnesota (a statewide network of 28 non-profit agencies delivering services and programs targeted for limited-resource individuals and families)- collaborator; Twin Cities Greater United Way - collaborator; Office of Economic Opportunity - MN Department of Human Services - collaborator; Minnesota Community Action Partnership - collaborator; Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment - collaborator; Cultural Wellness Center - collaborator. TARGET AUDIENCES: FAIM programs target working poor families across the state of Minnesota who are below the 200% poverty line. WISE programs target immigrants and refugees who live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Cultural Wellness Center focuses on African American families specifically those who reside on the East Side of St. Paul. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
My work with community partners on the comprehensive data collection model for FAIM has received attention by Assets for Independence (AFI), the federal Individual Development Account (IDA) funding and management agency. I have been asked to be involved in shaping the evaluation work for IDA program nationwide. Also, as a result of this work, FAIM received an New Strategies Innovations Grant from AFI to further our evaluation efforts.
Publications
- Yang, P.N.D., & Solheim, C.A. (2008). Financial management in Hmong immigrant families: Change and adaptation. Hmong Studies Journal, 8, 1-33.
- Washwithan, P., Solheim, C.A., & Popovich, P. (2008). Using Thailand's sufficiency economy philosophy to develop global citizens. In "Global sustainable development: A challenge for consumer citizens". Paris, France: International Federation for Home Economics.
- Solheim, C.A., (2008). Family resource management through multicultural lenses. In the NCFR Report: Family Focus on.... Families and Resource Management (FF38). Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Using data collected as part of this project, Master's advisee Pa Nhia Yang completed her thesis titled "Re-thinking Hmong Families: an Economic Perspective". 2. Data are currently being collected via interviews of 20 Minnesota Hmong immigrants within two and three generation families about their resource management goals, values and practices. 3. A comprehensive evaluation plan designed by me in collaboration with community colleagues for both the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) and for the Finanacial Literacy for Immigrants and Refugees' Individual Devlopment Account (FLIR) programs was accepted by both community-based organizations. This plan will guide both organizations' evaluation data collection processes over the next several years.
PARTICIPANTS: Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment - collaborator; Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota - collaborator; Twin Cities Greater United Way - collaborator; Office of Economic Opportunity - Minnesota Department of Human Services - collaborator; Minnesota Community Action Partnership - collaborator.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Community Action agencies across the state of Minnesota which offer the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program for working poor families; Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment which offers the Financial Literacy for Immigrants and Refugees Individual Development Account program for immigrant and refugee families in the St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area.
Impacts
Over a period of two years and many consulations and opportunities for input, the two community-based organizations mentioned in #3 above have embraced comprehensive evaluation plans. They have agreed to increase their level of data collection at the agency level in order to be able to report behavioral outcomes achieved by their programs. This represents a signifcant cultural shift in these organizations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
1) An overall evaluation plan was designed in collaboration with WISE (Women Initiative for Self-Empowerment). 2) A financial management behavior follow-up survey was also designed and is being used by WISE to collect impact data. 3) Data from pre-post evaluations of financial literacy classes were collected by WISE from agency partners and are currently being analyzed. 4) An overall evaluation plan is being designed in collaboration with FAIM (Family Assets for Independence Minnesota). This will be integrated into their on-going program materials and a new data base they will initiate in January 2007.
Impacts
None at this time.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Final research reports were written from the data analysis of 25 families who participated in the match savings program to build assets: own a home, small business or higher education. Low-wage families, who do not have access to the government subsidized programs such as 401(k) and property tax deductions, had assess to Individual Development Accounts, a national model. Key findings were that most wage-earning families reached their goal over the four year program and were motivated to build assets through the structured program. Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) was a successful intervention due to the 3:1 match, required financial management classes, and coaching by agency staff. The participants faced financial challenges such as unemployment, divorce, debt problems, and inflation (e.g., rising housing prices and college costs). However, they had positive financial management strategies, social support, and personal attributes that made them
successful in spite of major financial challenges. Families credited the structure of the FAIM program for their asset building. To increase the success rate of families, screening for debt ratio of participants and improved financial coaching by agency staff are recommended. It was concluded that low-wage families can prosper economically with a structured savings and asset building program.
Impacts
The findings support a structured subsidized program for low-wage families to build financial assets. The Minnesota Legislature made Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) a permanent program based on research findings from this qualitative study and the quantitative data of the 500 families in the pilot program. Over the four years of the study, FAIM coordinators adjusted the program based on our findings from semi annual interviews with 25 participants. This included clarifying rules for savings to be matched, coaching participants in their choice of goals, and seeking additional resources to improve the financial coaching.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The final data were collected from the research sample of 25 participants in the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) project. The deadline for participants to have acquired their assets with the 3:1 match money was June 30, 2004. Of the 25 families in the study, 18 bought homes, started a business or completed their education, 6 families exited the program, and 1 family was granted an extension for buying a home. Sections of a final research report were drafted and are under review. The final report will be posted on a website and linked to national research data bases.
Impacts
Our results highlight the feasibility of saving and asset building among the working poor with FAIM as an intervention program. The 2003 Minnesota Legislature made this a permanent program based on research findings from this qualitative study of 25 participants and the savings records of the 500 families in the pilot program.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Data from 25 participants in the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) project were used to identify factors that enabled these low income, wage-earning families to save money and build assets. Families were interviewed during the winter and summer of 2003 in this longitudinal study. An analytic induction method was used to identify constructs from three waves of interviews conducted during 2001-2003. Key constructs for success in saving were: personal attributes, resource management strategies, social support, coping with financial vulnerability, structured matched savings program, and financial education. Of the 25 families, 19 were successful in saving; 6 have exited the program. Reasons for exiting were unemployment, divorce, debt problems, inflation making their housing goal impossible, and alternative financing for higher education. Importantly, families who continued in the program also experienced unemployment, divorce, debt, and housing
inflation. To increase the proportion of successful families, financial coaching and initial screening for debt were recommended for FAIM coordinators.
Impacts
Our results highlight the feasibility of saving and asset building among the working poor with FAIM as an intervention program. The 2003 Minnesota Legislature made this a permanent program based on research findings from this qualitative study and the savings records of the 500 families in the pilot program.
Publications
- Hogan, M.J., Solheim, C.A., Wolfgram, S., Rodrigues, N. & Nkosi, B. (2003). Asset-building for the working poor. NCFR Report, F21 & F23.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The research question of how can low wage earning families save money to accumulate assets was investigated in the second year of the longitudinal study. Personal interviews were conducted in the winter and summer to evaluate the families' progress in the pilot project, Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM), established by the MN Legislature in 1998. Bank savings deposit data were obtained from the FAIM records. Findings include: (1) The 3:1 match of savings is a critical motivator for families to make the sacrifices needed to participate in the program, (2) Parents teach their children about money management; older children are helping their family reach the goal of buying a home by working parttime, (3) Families are especially vulnerable in this economic recession; loss of job usually means they exit from the program, (4) Extended family is the major safety net for families who have car breakdown, health expenses, and other emergencies; these families
do not exit from the program, and (5) Low wage families use a variety of government programs (e.g., food stamps, health care, child care subsidy, and housing subsidy) and community resources (e.g., food shelf, furniture from church agency, and homeless shelter) to meet family needs.
Impacts
The Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) have adjusted their program and proposed legislative amendments. These include: working with participants on goal clarification, enabling participants that plan to be an entrepreneur to write a business plan, and proposing an amendment to increase the savings due to housing inflation.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
A sample of 25 participants in the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) was selected from the 513 total program enrollment. This pilot IDA project was established by the MN Legislature in 1998 to build assets and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency among working poor families. Personal interviews with rural and urban participants across the state were conducted to evaluate the program and to understand how poor families can save money. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. WinMax software was used after key concepts were identified. Initial findings include: (1) All of the families were motivated to save money due to the 3:1 match designated by the legislation, (2) The mandated economic literacy classes were helpful, especially the credit reports, budgeting, and setting goals, (3)Most families do what ever it takes to deposit the savings--multiple jobs, multiple workers in the family, living with parents, cleaning the apartment building
halls to reduce rent, (4)Many families are financially vulnerable and some have missed savings deposits due to employment changes, car breakdown, fire, no health insurance, and missed child support payments, and (5) Setting achievable goals is a problem due to lack of affordable housing, unstable economy for starting a business, and poor credit history of participants.
Impacts
Recommendations have been presented to the FAIM agencies. They include: Staff needs to work on goal clarification with participants, fact sheets on rules for receiving the match money are needed, and hold special classes on starting a business and buying a house. Changes should improve the success rate of asset building among the FAIM participants.
Publications
- Hogan, M.J. 2001. Family economic puzzles and possibilities. Journal of the FRHD/FERM Division of AAFCS. 95-98.
- Hogan, M.J. and Solheim, C. 2001. Family financial resilience: Challenges and resources. Family Focus. 46:19 & 23.
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