May 17, 2006
Governor Launches Family Economic Security Project
Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced a new demonstration project aimed at improving the economic security of low-income families. The $1.5 million project will be funded with part of a “high-performance bonus” the state received from the federal government.
“We want to help low income families become financially literate,” Governor Schweitzer said. “We firmly believe that all Montana families should have economic security and the opportunity to build personal assets and invest in Montana’s future. We’re committed to doing all we can to provide that.”
The Family Economic Security Services Demonstration Project will be administered by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). It will be funded with part of a “high-performance bonus” the state received from the federal government for its success in facilitating employment for people who get cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
The goal of the project is to develop innovative services to help families improve their financial literacy and build their personal assets in order to improve their long-term economic situation.
DPHHS is issuing a request for proposals for services that include, but are not limited to:
A comprehensive curriculum to increase families’ knowledge of finances, including credit options, tax incentives, savings benefits, and lending issues;
A strategy for financial asset development for such options as home ownership and individual development accounts;
A curriculum that trains individuals on starting a new business; and
Education or training in high-demand employment fields.
Recipients of the services will be low-income families who currently receive TANF cash assistance or who have been recipients in the past year.
“This demonstration project will reach a limited number of low-income families,” Governor Schweitzer said. “But we hope to identify effective strategies that improve families’ long-term economic situation and enable them to become self-sufficient. Once these strategies are identified, we hope to expand them to reach a larger population.”
For more information about submitting proposals, contact Linda Currie, DPHHS, 406-444-4099. The deadline for service providers to submit letters of intent to propose is May 25, while the deadline for submitting proposals is June 29.
Page last updated: 06/13/2006
