Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Financial Security for All (Valencia County)
Plan Goals
Improve the utilization of Valencia County family resources which include money, assets, education, internet skills, and time management across individuals of different ages, ethnicities, educational levels, and socioeconomic groups in the increasingly co
- Owner
- Laura Bittner
- Related Plans
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Financial Security for All - Personal Finance
Impact Reports
* Within 6 months of completing the Foot in the Door program, 85% of its 166 participants reported that they were more aware of how to successfully complete a job application, over 40% have actively searched for employment using techniques and tools developed in the program, and 20% have obtained employment.
* Ten percent (10%) of participants who partook in a craft, sewing, or quilting class from the Lea County Extension Service, exhibited their projects at the Lea County Fair or the local quilt shows
* Among the 36 participants of “Knowing Your Credit” at the Clovis Community College Professional Improvement Training, 25% of the participants acknowledged that they have recently obtained their credit report and approximately 50% replied that they plan to get a report based on information presented in this program.
* Five percent (5%) of Going Green Workshop participants in Lea County have begun to implement small energy saving techniques in their homes and businesses.
* As a result of the holiday craft workshops in Lea County, 20% of the workshop participants completed additional crafts as a gift for family and friends, 10% enrolled in additional extension service programs, and 20% of the participants have begun to improve their crafts skills and move onto more difficult items/projects.
* After various beginner quilting classes in Lea County, 80% of their participants would recognize the equipment necessary to complete the project on their own, 30% purchased additional supplies to duplicate the craft at home, and 90% completed the craft item during class time to show off to other classmates as well as family and friends.
* From a Knowing Your Credit Reports and Credit Reports seminar to 69 adults at the Retired Teachers Association, 30% of its participants acknowledged that they have recently obtained their credit report and approximately 50 % replied that they plan to get a report based on information presented in this program.
* Twenty five percent of the participants in the sewing, quilting and craft programs provided by Lea County Extension Service are exhibiting their completed items in the county fair and local quilt shows.
* Ten percent (10%) of participants who partook in a craft, sewing, or quilting class from the Lea County Extension Service, exhibited their projects at the Lea County Fair or the local quilt shows
* Among the 36 participants of “Knowing Your Credit” at the Clovis Community College Professional Improvement Training, 25% of the participants acknowledged that they have recently obtained their credit report and approximately 50% replied that they plan to get a report based on information presented in this program.
* Five percent (5%) of Going Green Workshop participants in Lea County have begun to implement small energy saving techniques in their homes and businesses.
* As a result of the holiday craft workshops in Lea County, 20% of the workshop participants completed additional crafts as a gift for family and friends, 10% enrolled in additional extension service programs, and 20% of the participants have begun to improve their crafts skills and move onto more difficult items/projects.
* After various beginner quilting classes in Lea County, 80% of their participants would recognize the equipment necessary to complete the project on their own, 30% purchased additional supplies to duplicate the craft at home, and 90% completed the craft item during class time to show off to other classmates as well as family and friends.
* From a Knowing Your Credit Reports and Credit Reports seminar to 69 adults at the Retired Teachers Association, 30% of its participants acknowledged that they have recently obtained their credit report and approximately 50 % replied that they plan to get a report based on information presented in this program.
* Twenty five percent of the participants in the sewing, quilting and craft programs provided by Lea County Extension Service are exhibiting their completed items in the county fair and local quilt shows.
* After completing the Foot in the Door program, over 75% of its 166 participants reported a greater understanding and awareness of the programs available to assist job seekers, 85% had developed a professional resume and summary statement, over 90% reported that they had improved their interviewing techniques and had “greatly” benefited from the mock interviewing experience, and over 95% had set a goal regarding their financial behaviors.
* Dollar Decisions programs in Doña Ana county saw 80% of participants increased their knowledge and awareness related to money management.
* Dollar Decisions programs in Doña Ana county saw 80% of participants increased their knowledge and awareness related to money management.
"FOOT IN THE DOOR" JOB SEEKING SKILLS PROGRAM
Within 6 months of completing the Foot in the Door program, over 40% of participants are actively searching for employment using techniques and tools developed in the program. Contact with past participants (via email/mail/phone) indicates that 20% of participants have obtained employment within 6 months of completing the program.
A phone message received from a class participant, “I really did it! I have my first legal job at the age of 28. Subway is giving me a chance! I couldn’t have done this without your program. Thanks for caring about me!”
An email received from one class participant reads, “Hey there! I was planning on emailing you this afternoon but ironically, you had checked in first. I haven’t had much free time as I got a job at Goodwill as a Sales Associate about two weeks ago! I felt so good after my interview. I came home and re-read all the materials you gave me and was so happy with myself as I went in very prepared and nailed it…..Again, thank you so much for everything. I felt with the knowledge from the class and preparation I put into this, that the other 2 people that interviewed didn’t stand a chance!”
Within 6 months of completing the Foot in the Door program, over 40% of participants are actively searching for employment using techniques and tools developed in the program. Contact with past participants (via email/mail/phone) indicates that 20% of participants have obtained employment within 6 months of completing the program.
A phone message received from a class participant, “I really did it! I have my first legal job at the age of 28. Subway is giving me a chance! I couldn’t have done this without your program. Thanks for caring about me!”
An email received from one class participant reads, “Hey there! I was planning on emailing you this afternoon but ironically, you had checked in first. I haven’t had much free time as I got a job at Goodwill as a Sales Associate about two weeks ago! I felt so good after my interview. I came home and re-read all the materials you gave me and was so happy with myself as I went in very prepared and nailed it…..Again, thank you so much for everything. I felt with the knowledge from the class and preparation I put into this, that the other 2 people that interviewed didn’t stand a chance!”
FINANCIAL and RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The economic stability of Valencia County is built upon the financial stability of each individual and family. This, in turn, depends on educational attainment, availability of jobs, knowledge on how to acquire and maintain those jobs and each individual’s financial practices. Within this year, the unemployment rate in Valencia County was over 10%. The difficulty in acquiring employment in a tight job market is magnified when you are an individual lacking education, experience and opportunity. The objectives of some of the financial and resource management programs include increasing the knowledge of successful job locating, acquiring and maintaining in order to achieve financial resources to manage and sustain as well as successful utilization and creativity in managing the resources currently available within the home.
FOOT IN THE DOOR…Job Seeking Skills Program
Within the past reporting year, 103 women and 63 men participated in the week long “Foot in the Door” job seeking skills program presented by the Home Economist. The purposes of the program are to increase knowledge of locating available job openings, completing applications, writing a professional resume, interviewing techniques, developing or improving upon the skills needed to maintain employment and identifying agencies and government programs which aid job seekers. Of the 166 participants, over 85% have the additional challenge of having a felony record.
Throughout the program, participants complete interest and skills surveys to determine potential employment interests and abilities, develop an understanding of financial wants vs. needs and set goals related to searching for and obtaining employment, increasing their education and improving their financial situation. The hands-on application completion and evaluation and mock interview trainings give participants a “real-life” practice to develop and improve upon their self-presentation skills. Currently, female participants are also provided with interview appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics if they are lacking resources to obtain on their own. The clothing is provided through donations from members of EANM (who have selected this program as their service project for this year) and community members who are aware of the Foot in the Door program.
After immediate completion of the program, 85% of participants reported that they were more aware of how to successfully complete a job application. Over 75% reported a greater understanding and awareness of the programs available to assist job seekers (particularly government programs to aid individuals with felony records ex. Federal Bonding Program). Eighty-five percent of participants had developed a professional resume and summary statement which they could use when job seeking. Over 90% reported that they had improved their interviewing techniques and had “greatly” benefited from the mock interviewing experience. Over 95% had set a goal regarding their financial behaviors. According to the class evaluation completed after the last session with participants, 96% found the material to be “very useful” and 92% felt they had learned things that would help them with their job search. Participant comments regarding the program include:
• “I CAN’T WAIT to begin my job search (after completion of a rehabilitation program)!!! I
feel so much more prepared and confident about my ability to find a job now!”
• “Thank you for providing this class to all of us! You’ve provided us with SO much
information in such a short period of time but I know…I KNOW I can do this!”
• “I had no idea I’ve been filling out applications wrong. I never knew how I was supposed to
talk about my past. Thanks for showing me how to present myself better for work.
• “I know the life I want for me and my kids. With the stuff I learned, I believe I can have
that life the right way.”
• “Prior to my spiral into addiction, I was an HR specialist for a major company. What you
are teaching is real and right. You know your stuff and I thank you for passing this info
on to others.”
CREATIVE CRAFTING ON A BUDGET WORKSHOPS
Nine creative crafting classes were offered to a total of 93 participants at the Women’s Recovery Academy and El Cerro Mission Community Center Conversational ESL classes with the objective of encouraging the development of homemaking skills on a limited budget. Classes included, Simple Snack and Candy Making, Holiday Card Stamping, Bean Bag Warmers and Dream Box Gifts. Participants were provided with supplies and informed as to the actual cost of the supplies (all VERY reasonable), directions and encouragement. Discussion was focused on cost per serving, ingredient substitutions, different uses for completed craft projects and ideas for gearing crafts to kids.
MARKETING AT THE FARMER’S MARKET WORKSHOPS
The Home Economist presented two workshops to a total of 53 farmers’ market vendors on marketing techniques, value-added products, merchandising, sales and customer service at a Farmers’ Market Workshop provided by the Valencia County Ag Agent and during a Farmers’ Market general meeting. The presentations provided participants with information and tools to better improve their marketing and eventually positively impact their sales at the local Farmers’ Markets. Additionally, participants were able to view affordable mock displays that could be duplicated with their own produce at the farmers’ markets.
The economic stability of Valencia County is built upon the financial stability of each individual and family. This, in turn, depends on educational attainment, availability of jobs, knowledge on how to acquire and maintain those jobs and each individual’s financial practices. Within this year, the unemployment rate in Valencia County was over 10%. The difficulty in acquiring employment in a tight job market is magnified when you are an individual lacking education, experience and opportunity. The objectives of some of the financial and resource management programs include increasing the knowledge of successful job locating, acquiring and maintaining in order to achieve financial resources to manage and sustain as well as successful utilization and creativity in managing the resources currently available within the home.
FOOT IN THE DOOR…Job Seeking Skills Program
Within the past reporting year, 103 women and 63 men participated in the week long “Foot in the Door” job seeking skills program presented by the Home Economist. The purposes of the program are to increase knowledge of locating available job openings, completing applications, writing a professional resume, interviewing techniques, developing or improving upon the skills needed to maintain employment and identifying agencies and government programs which aid job seekers. Of the 166 participants, over 85% have the additional challenge of having a felony record.
Throughout the program, participants complete interest and skills surveys to determine potential employment interests and abilities, develop an understanding of financial wants vs. needs and set goals related to searching for and obtaining employment, increasing their education and improving their financial situation. The hands-on application completion and evaluation and mock interview trainings give participants a “real-life” practice to develop and improve upon their self-presentation skills. Currently, female participants are also provided with interview appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics if they are lacking resources to obtain on their own. The clothing is provided through donations from members of EANM (who have selected this program as their service project for this year) and community members who are aware of the Foot in the Door program.
After immediate completion of the program, 85% of participants reported that they were more aware of how to successfully complete a job application. Over 75% reported a greater understanding and awareness of the programs available to assist job seekers (particularly government programs to aid individuals with felony records ex. Federal Bonding Program). Eighty-five percent of participants had developed a professional resume and summary statement which they could use when job seeking. Over 90% reported that they had improved their interviewing techniques and had “greatly” benefited from the mock interviewing experience. Over 95% had set a goal regarding their financial behaviors. According to the class evaluation completed after the last session with participants, 96% found the material to be “very useful” and 92% felt they had learned things that would help them with their job search. Participant comments regarding the program include:
• “I CAN’T WAIT to begin my job search (after completion of a rehabilitation program)!!! I
feel so much more prepared and confident about my ability to find a job now!”
• “Thank you for providing this class to all of us! You’ve provided us with SO much
information in such a short period of time but I know…I KNOW I can do this!”
• “I had no idea I’ve been filling out applications wrong. I never knew how I was supposed to
talk about my past. Thanks for showing me how to present myself better for work.
• “I know the life I want for me and my kids. With the stuff I learned, I believe I can have
that life the right way.”
• “Prior to my spiral into addiction, I was an HR specialist for a major company. What you
are teaching is real and right. You know your stuff and I thank you for passing this info
on to others.”
CREATIVE CRAFTING ON A BUDGET WORKSHOPS
Nine creative crafting classes were offered to a total of 93 participants at the Women’s Recovery Academy and El Cerro Mission Community Center Conversational ESL classes with the objective of encouraging the development of homemaking skills on a limited budget. Classes included, Simple Snack and Candy Making, Holiday Card Stamping, Bean Bag Warmers and Dream Box Gifts. Participants were provided with supplies and informed as to the actual cost of the supplies (all VERY reasonable), directions and encouragement. Discussion was focused on cost per serving, ingredient substitutions, different uses for completed craft projects and ideas for gearing crafts to kids.
MARKETING AT THE FARMER’S MARKET WORKSHOPS
The Home Economist presented two workshops to a total of 53 farmers’ market vendors on marketing techniques, value-added products, merchandising, sales and customer service at a Farmers’ Market Workshop provided by the Valencia County Ag Agent and during a Farmers’ Market general meeting. The presentations provided participants with information and tools to better improve their marketing and eventually positively impact their sales at the local Farmers’ Markets. Additionally, participants were able to view affordable mock displays that could be duplicated with their own produce at the farmers’ markets.
Laura Bittner has signed on to support Personal Finance and Household Resource Management (PERFHORM) Program within Valencia County.