Source: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE 1890 ONLINE FAMILY FINANCIAL PLANNING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1007339
Grant No.
2015-38821-24372
Cumulative Award Amt.
$148,729.00
Proposal No.
2015-06192
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2015
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2020
Grant Year
2015
Program Code
[EP]- Teaching Project
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
1601 EAST MARKET STREET
GREENSBORO,NC 27411
Performing Department
Family and Consumer Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Enhancing the financial literacy of individuals and families especially among the most vulnerable members of society is a national priority. The 2009 recession led to massive foreclosures, layoffs and bankruptcies and several community and government efforts were implemented to assist with the economic recovery. In the education community, primary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities began to place greater emphasis on integrating financial literacy into their curriculum. Although there is a great demand for financial planners, the profession lacks the diversity needed to serve minority communities. To address this issue, a unique collaboration, the FCS Distance Instructional Alliance, was formed by family and consumer sciences programs at the 1890 land-grant institutions to deliver an Online Family Financial Planning Certificate Program. The program has the potential to attract a larger, diverse, audience beyond the traditional college or university student. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to expand access to the existing Online FFP Certificate Program through improved coordination, marketing and recruitment. The proposal seeks to expand the program's reach to include military families and other non-traditional students, including working professionals and to revitalize the availability of the certificate program in an effort to increase the number of minority financial planners. The objectives of the project are 1) to strengthen the operational aspects of the Online FFP Certificate program by securing the assistance of a dedicated coordinator; and 2) to enhance partnerships with the 1890 FCS-Distance Instructional Alliance and North Carolina A&T State University's continuing education program.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
8016020302050%
9036020302050%
Knowledge Area
801 - Individual and Family Resource Management; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The purpose of this project is to expand access to the 1890 Online FFP Online Certificate Program through the improved coordination, recruitment and marketing plans executed by a collaborative effort among the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development at North Carolina A&T State University, and the other five 1890 land-grant institutions (FCS-DIA). For the effective operation of the Online FFP Certificate Program, the FCS Department at N.C. A&T will provide leadership for expanding access while the FCS-DIA continues to be the governing body. Two objectives have been identified for the project implementation: (1) Objective 1: Strengthen the operational aspect of the Online FFP Certificate program and (2) Objective 2: Enhance partnerships with the FCS-DIA and N.C. A&T's Office of Continuing Education to strengthen the Online FFP Certificate Program.
Project Methods
The approach will include the following (refer to Table 4. Timetable of the Project):Objective1: Strengthen the operational aspect of the Online FFP Certificate Program. The PIs will identify a cohort of instructors for course delivery and contract with them to offer courses; and will confirm the rotation of courses established within the Alliance. A program coordinator will be hired and will be responsible for coordinating course offerings, program marketing, recruitment, advising students in the program, and partnership development. In Years 2 and 3, the PIs and program coordinator will develop and implement a marketing plan in conjunction with the Office of Continuing Education to include development of brochures, web pages, Facebook pages, and admission materials dedicated to the program. For student recruitment, partnerships with financial institutions and community colleges (with articulation agreement) will be established, and visits to military families and high schools in communities for marketing and recruitment will be included in the project. Additionally the PIs will be responsible for identifying sources of funding to maintain the coordinator's position.Objective 2: Enhance partnerships with the FCS-DIA and N.C. A&T's Office of Continuing Education to strengthen the 1890 Online FFP Certificate Program. The PIs will meet with 1890 FCS Units for continuous collaboration and will also collaborate with the North Carolina A&T University's Office of Continuing Education regarding program implementation. In Year 1, a budget for continuing education will be developed related to enrollment minimums, expenses, and program costs and will obtain institutional approval for the Online FFP Certificate Program as a continuing education program.The principal investigators and the coordinator will meet regularly, at least twice per month, to discuss project goals, and to assign activities. The proposed timeline (refer to Table 4) includes flexibility to accommodate potential delays that might occur in online course delivery, marketing, or collaboration with the FCS-DIA. A possible obstacle to the project's success is withdrawal of one or more alliance members. However, should any of the alliance members fail to follow through with participation, NC A&T is prepared to provide course delivery.

Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audienceswere undergraduate students and teaching instructors; Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development at North Carolina A&T State University; and the other five 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance (FCS-DIA); community colleges; community residents. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program offers seven courses towards a certificate in family financial planning which provides the knowledge needed to sit for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam after completing an internship. The project facilitates the offering of courses that lead to a certificate in family financial planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?2019, February Presentation title: Bridging the gap: bringing diversity to family financial planning. 2019 Grand Carousel Round Table session presented at the 2019 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Durham/Chapel Hill, NC. 2018, July Presentation title:Expanding access to the 1890 online family financial planning certificate program. Invited presentation to 1890 Institute Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Project Director Meeting, Washington, DC. 2018, June Presentation title:Family financial planning certificate program at N.C. A&T State University. Paper presented in the i3: Inspiration--Innovation--Impact session at the 2018 AAFCS (American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. 2018, March Presentation title:Family financial planning certificate at N.C. A&T University. Paper presented in the Grand Carousel & Curriculum Showcase session at the 2018 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Wilmington, NC. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As key outcomes for Objective 1, the project team has: (1) increased enrollment (45 students) and completion rates (3 certificate earners); (2) hired a FFP program coordinator for the program operation; (3) added 2 more instructors to the pool for course offerings; (4) offered all 7 courses and arranged course schedules by NC A&T; (5) developed/distributed marketing materials [factsheets, fliers, webpage, social media]; (6) worked with Veteran's and Military Affairs for military outreach; (7) conducted outreach to financial institutions (e.g., NC State Employees Credit Union and North Western Mutual Life); (8) visited communities to make FCS educators aware of the program (e.g., 2 sessions at NC Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and 1 session at American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences meetings). As key outcomes for Objective 2, the project team has: (1) conducted regular meetings (3-4 times per year) with the FCS-DIA; (2) collaborated with N.C. A&T Continuing Education/Distance Learning Office regarding students' course enrollment, payment, and website presence/ marketing; and (3) obtained renewal approval of the program by the CFP Board in June 2019. The FFP Online Certificate Program was initiated in 2004 by the FCS-DIA. Since then, no students had completed the Program until this teaching project was started in 2015. The 2015-2020 CBG support has led to better program coordination and course offerings of the Program, resulting in increasing student enrollment and retention rates (i.e., enhancing teaching capacity).

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bernhardt, L., Lee, S., & Giddings, V. (2018, June). Family financial planning certificate program at N.C. A&T State University. Paper presented in the i3: InspirationInnovationImpact session at the 2018 AAFCS (American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bernhardt, L., Lee, S., & Giddings, V. (2018, March). Family financial planning certificate at N.C. A&T University. Paper presented in the Grand Carousel & Curriculum Showcase session at the 2018 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Wilmington, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Lee, S. & Giddings, V. L. (2018, July). Expanding access to the 1890 online family financial planning certificate program. Invited presentation at 1890 Institute Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Project Director Meeting, Washington, DC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bernhardt, L., Giddings, V. L., & Lee, S. (2019, February). Bridging the gap: Bringing diversity to family financial planning. 2019 Grand Carousel Round Table session presented at the 2019 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Durham/Chapel Hill, NC.


Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for 2018-2019were undergraduate students and teaching instructors; Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Instructional Technology Services & Distance Education (ITSDE), and College of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University; and the other five members of the 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance (FCS-DIA); Certified Financial Planners (CFP) Board of Standards; community colleges; community residents; financial institutions (industry partners); andveterans. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program offers seven courses towards a certificate in family financial planning which provides the knowledge needed to sit for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam after completing an internship. The project facilitates the offering of courses that lead to a certificate in family financial planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Bernhardt, L., Giddings, V. L., & Lee, S. (2019, February). Bridging the gap: Bringing diversity to family financial planning. 2019 Grand Carousel Round Table session presented at the 2019 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Durham/Chapel Hill, NC. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Currently, we have 25enrolled students, and in June 2019, one student completed all requirements for the FFP certificate program. Thus, the Project Team will continueto expand access to the Online 1890 FFP Certificate Program through successful marketing and coordination efforts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. In 2018-2019 (Year 4), the Project Team accomplished the following: 1) had a FFP program coordinator for the program operation; 2) arranged/offered FFP courses within N.C. A&T; 3) kept updated marketing materials [factsheets, fliers, webpage updateon FFP, Social media, and N.C. A&T University media]; 4) continued outreach to financial institutions (i.e.,have communicated with State Employees Credit Union and North Western Mutual Life etc.); 5) collaborated with industry partners; 6) visited communities (e.g., NCAFCS meeting to make FCS educators aware of the program);7) workedwith N.C. A&TVeteran's and Military Affairsfor military outreach; 8) continued to have recruiting/retention efforts to increase enrollmentand completion rates (currently, 25 enrolled students and 1 certificate earner); and 9) continued to identify funding sources. Objective 2. In 2018-2019 (Year 4), the Project Team accomplished the following: 1) conducted conference calls and continued to collaborate with 1890 FCS units; 2) collaborated with N.C. A&T Continuing Education/Distance Learning Office regarding FCS-DIA & non-traditional students' course enrollment and their payment along with website presence/ marketing of the FFP program; 3) obtained renewal approvalby the CFP Board in June 2019.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bernhardt, L., Giddings, V. L., & Lee, S. (2019, February). Bridging the gap: Bringing diversity to family financial planning. 2019 Grand Carousel Round Table session presented at the 2019 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Durham/Chapel Hill, NC.


Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for 2017-2018 were undergraduate students and teaching instructors; Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, theOffice of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Instructional Technology Services & Distance Education (ITSDE), and College of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University; and the other five 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance (FCS-DIA); Certified Financial Planners (CFP) Board of Standards; community colleges; community residents. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program offers seven courses towards a certificate in family financial planning which provides the knowledge needed to sit for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam after completing an internship.The project facilitates the offering of courses that lead to a certificate in Family financial planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Lee, S. & Giddings, V. L. (2018, July). Expanding access to the 1890 online family financial planning certificate program. Invited presentation to 1890 Institute Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Project Director Meeting, Washington, DC. Bernhardt, L., Lee, S., & Giddings, V. (2018, June). Family financial planning certificate program at N.C. A&T State University. Paper presented in the i3: Inspiration--Innovation--Impact session at the 2018 AAFCS (American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. Bernhardt, L., Lee, S., & Giddings, V. (2018, March). Family financial planning certificate at N.C. A&T University. Paper presented in the Grand Carousel & Curriculum Showcase session at the 2018 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Wilmington, NC. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Project Team continues to enhance marketing opportunities for the FFP program and to recruit students to increase student enrollment. InJune 2018, no-cost extension for the project was granted for an additional year (2018-2019).The Project Team will continue to focus on building awareness and partnerships (i.e., business majors, banking and insurance professionals, etc.) andtracking program completers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. In 2017-2018 (Year 3), the Project Teamaccomplished the following:1) Added more instructors to the pool for course offerings (As of today, 2 more instructors have been added; so currently we have 4 instructors); 2) Hired a FFP program coordinator (October 2017 - present); 3) N.C. A&T has offered all courses and arranged course schedules; 4) Completed marketing materials [Factsheets, fliers, giveaways, webpage update (FCS-DIA & Distance Learning) on FFP, Social media, and N.C. A&T University media]; 5) Continued outreach to financial institutions (Have communicated with NC State Employees Credit Union, Wells Fargo, and North Western Mutual Life etc.); 6) Visited communities (e.g., NCAFCS and AAFCS meetings to make FCS educators aware of the program; Military outreach through N.C. A&T Distance Learning Office); and 7) Continued to identify funding sources. Objective2. In 2017-2018 (Year 3), the Project Teamaccomplished the following: 1)Conducted conference calls 3-4 times per year (e.g., 2017-2018 fiscal year: Oct., 17/ April, 18/ May, 18); 2) Continued to collaborate with 1890 FCS units; 3) Have collaborated with N.C. A&T Continuing Education Office regarding FCS-DIA & non-traditional students' course enrollment and their payment along with website presence/ marketing of the FFP program; 4)Renewal packet was prepared and submitted to CFP Board in January 2018.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bernhardt, L., Lee, S., & Giddings, V. (2018, June). Family financial planning certificate program at N.C. A&T State University. Paper presented in the i3: InspirationInnovationImpact session at the 2018 AAFCS (American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bernhardt, L., Lee, S., & Giddings, V. (2018, March). Family financial planning certificate at N.C. A&T University. Paper presented in the Grand Carousel & Curriculum Showcase session at the 2018 NCAFCS (North Carolina Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Annual Conference, Wilmington, NC.


Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for 2016-2017 wereundergraduate students andteaching instructors; Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development at North Carolina A&T State University; and the other five 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance (FCS-DIA); community colleges; community residents. Changes/Problems:The FFP program coordinator hired in July 2016 resigned in April 2017. That has led to slow progress in completing proposed activities. Currently, the PIs are working with HR to hire a new coordinator. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program offers seven courses towards a certificate in family financial planning which provides the knowledge needed tosit for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam after completing an internship.The project facilitates the offering of courses that lead to a certificate in family financial planning. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Project Team will update the FFP website and enhance marketing opportunities for the FFP program; and continue to recruit students to incrase student enrollment.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. In 2016-2017(Year 2), a FFP program coordinator coordinatedcourse offerings, actively involved in program marketing (e.g., flyer development) and recruitment (community college visitation); and made a database for students who took the FFP courses.The PIs and the program coordinator continuedcommunicatingwith the 1890 FCS-DIA (Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance) members toidentify/confirm a cohort of instructors andcourse offerings for the Alliance. Objective 2. In 2016-2017 (Year 2), N.C. A&T's Office of Continuing Education was involved in theface-to-face meeting with the project team; and collected course fees fromthe FCS-DIA (Family andConsumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance) members and/or communities.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audiences for 2015-2016 were undergraduate students, teaching instructors; Department of Family and Consumer Sciencesand the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development at North Carolina A&T State University; and the other five 1890 Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance (FCS-DIA). Changes/Problems:In theproject proposal, researchers were scheduled to hire aFFP program coordinator in December 2015. However, the FFP program coordinator position needs a person who hasspecific qualifications even though the position is temporary (i.e., working 20 hours per week). That affected thehiring process, which means, it took a longer time to find a qualified person. In July 2016, the FFP program coordinator was hired. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program offers seven courses towards a certificate in family financial planning which provides the knowledge needed to sit for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam after completing an internship. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Researchersplan to actively recruit students to increase enrollment in the program and courses.Plansareto update the website and explore other marketing opportunities for the program.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. In 2015-2016 (Year 1), a FFP program coordinator was hired for coordinating course offerings, program marketing, recruitment, advising students in the program, and partnership development. The PIs and the program coordinator have communicated with the 1890 FCS-DIA (Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance)members to identify a cohort of instructors for course offerings and to confirm the rotation of courses established within the Alliance. Objective 2. In 2015-2016, N.C. A&T's Office of Continuing Education has been contacted and a face-to-face meeting has been scheduledfor August 2016 in order to discuss fees for FFP courses and course delivery to the FCS-DIA (Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Instructional Alliance)members and communities.

    Publications