MN Asset Building Coalition 2014 practitioners survey

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* 1. Please enter the name of your organization:

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* 2. Please list your service areas-- as many as apply to you:

home ownership counseling

financial education

small business development and technical assistance

workforce development

emergency assistance

foreclosure prevention

Head Start staff

vehicle loan/donation programs

MFIP counselor

debt management counseling

student loan counseling

Other service areas:

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* 3. Which high impact strategies should be integrated with Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to make IDAs most effective in helping you serve your clients? For more information on IDAs, please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Development_Account or for more information on IDAs in Minnesota, please go to: http://minnesotafaim.com/index.cfm

	Most effective strategy	Possibly effective strategy	Probably not effective	N/A
IDAs in educational settings (high schools or colleges)	IDAs in educational settings (high schools or colleges) Most effective strategy	IDAs in educational settings (high schools or colleges) Possibly effective strategy	IDAs in educational settings (high schools or colleges) Probably not effective	IDAs in educational settings (high schools or colleges) N/A
Workplace based IDAs	Workplace based IDAs Most effective strategy	Workplace based IDAs Possibly effective strategy	Workplace based IDAs Probably not effective	Workplace based IDAs N/A
Lending circles with matched savings/IDA component	Lending circles with matched savings/IDA component Most effective strategy	Lending circles with matched savings/IDA component Possibly effective strategy	Lending circles with matched savings/IDA component Probably not effective	Lending circles with matched savings/IDA component N/A
Allowing the purchase of new kinds of assets (vehicles, community investments, emergency fund, assistive technology devices, farm equipment, etc);	Allowing the purchase of new kinds of assets (vehicles, community investments, emergency fund, assistive technology devices, farm equipment, etc); Most effective strategy	Allowing the purchase of new kinds of assets (vehicles, community investments, emergency fund, assistive technology devices, farm equipment, etc); Possibly effective strategy	Allowing the purchase of new kinds of assets (vehicles, community investments, emergency fund, assistive technology devices, farm equipment, etc); Probably not effective	Allowing the purchase of new kinds of assets (vehicles, community investments, emergency fund, assistive technology devices, farm equipment, etc); N/A
Allowing a larger amount of savings that can be matched;	Allowing a larger amount of savings that can be matched; Most effective strategy	Allowing a larger amount of savings that can be matched; Possibly effective strategy	Allowing a larger amount of savings that can be matched; Probably not effective	Allowing a larger amount of savings that can be matched; N/A
Integration of IDAs into other social services (i.e. MFIP counseling)	Integration of IDAs into other social services (i.e. MFIP counseling) Most effective strategy	Integration of IDAs into other social services (i.e. MFIP counseling) Possibly effective strategy	Integration of IDAs into other social services (i.e. MFIP counseling) Probably not effective	Integration of IDAs into other social services (i.e. MFIP counseling) N/A
IDA /matched savings incentive for placing tax refund into savings account	IDA /matched savings incentive for placing tax refund into savings account Most effective strategy	IDA /matched savings incentive for placing tax refund into savings account Possibly effective strategy	IDA /matched savings incentive for placing tax refund into savings account Probably not effective	IDA /matched savings incentive for placing tax refund into savings account N/A
Adding the use of public benefit screening tools to IDA curriculum.	Adding the use of public benefit screening tools to IDA curriculum. Most effective strategy	Adding the use of public benefit screening tools to IDA curriculum. Possibly effective strategy	Adding the use of public benefit screening tools to IDA curriculum. Probably not effective	Adding the use of public benefit screening tools to IDA curriculum. N/A
Child matched savings accounts	Child matched savings accounts Most effective strategy	Child matched savings accounts Possibly effective strategy	Child matched savings accounts Probably not effective	Child matched savings accounts N/A

Other strategies I want to suggest:

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* 4. What are the most important improvements in the content and/or delivery of financial education that would make the biggest difference in the lives of your program participants?

	Very important improvement	Possibly important improvement	Probably not important	N/A
more emphasis on avoiding scams and abusive financial products & services	more emphasis on avoiding scams and abusive financial products & services Very important improvement	more emphasis on avoiding scams and abusive financial products & services Possibly important improvement	more emphasis on avoiding scams and abusive financial products & services Probably not important	more emphasis on avoiding scams and abusive financial products & services N/A
support for social studies teachers to learn about new MN financial literacy curriculum standards	support for social studies teachers to learn about new MN financial literacy curriculum standards Very important improvement	support for social studies teachers to learn about new MN financial literacy curriculum standards Possibly important improvement	support for social studies teachers to learn about new MN financial literacy curriculum standards Probably not important	support for social studies teachers to learn about new MN financial literacy curriculum standards N/A
workplace-based financial education	workplace-based financial education Very important improvement	workplace-based financial education Possibly important improvement	workplace-based financial education Probably not important	workplace-based financial education N/A
support for deeper integration of financial education in Head Start agencies	support for deeper integration of financial education in Head Start agencies Very important improvement	support for deeper integration of financial education in Head Start agencies Possibly important improvement	support for deeper integration of financial education in Head Start agencies Probably not important	support for deeper integration of financial education in Head Start agencies N/A
more emphasis on credit rebuilding	more emphasis on credit rebuilding Very important improvement	more emphasis on credit rebuilding Possibly important improvement	more emphasis on credit rebuilding Probably not important	more emphasis on credit rebuilding N/A
more mandatory pre-and post-homeownership counseling and education	more mandatory pre-and post-homeownership counseling and education Very important improvement	more mandatory pre-and post-homeownership counseling and education Possibly important improvement	more mandatory pre-and post-homeownership counseling and education Probably not important	more mandatory pre-and post-homeownership counseling and education N/A
more mandatory financial counseling attached to students loans	more mandatory financial counseling attached to students loans Very important improvement	more mandatory financial counseling attached to students loans Possibly important improvement	more mandatory financial counseling attached to students loans Probably not important	more mandatory financial counseling attached to students loans N/A
more emphasis on budgeting	more emphasis on budgeting Very important improvement	more emphasis on budgeting Possibly important improvement	more emphasis on budgeting Probably not important	more emphasis on budgeting N/A
financial education offered in connection to public benefits and assistance	financial education offered in connection to public benefits and assistance Very important improvement	financial education offered in connection to public benefits and assistance Possibly important improvement	financial education offered in connection to public benefits and assistance Probably not important	financial education offered in connection to public benefits and assistance N/A

Other financial education improvement:

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* 5. To what degree are asset limits, sanctions or "benefits cliff" effects in public benefits programs like SNAP, MFIP, GA, or MSA an obstacle to your program participants’ efforts to achieve or maintain financial security? For more information on asset limits, here is one resource: http://scorecard.assetsandopportunity.org/2014/measure/lifting-asset-limits-in-public-benefit-programs

1= asset limits, sanctions and/or benefits cliffs are a major obstacle for some or most of my clients

2= asset limits, sanctions and/or benefits cliffs are a minor obstacle for some or most of my clients

3= asset limits, sanctions and/or benefits cliffs are not a real obstacle for my clients

Other comments on public benefits system and asset building

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* 6. Which fringe financial practices have been the greatest obstacle to your clients' efforts to become financially stable?

	a big obstacle to many of my clients	an obstacle to some of my clients	not a big obstacle to many of my clients
Check cashing;	Check cashing; a big obstacle to many of my clients	Check cashing; an obstacle to some of my clients	Check cashing; not a big obstacle to many of my clients
Payday loans;	Payday loans; a big obstacle to many of my clients	Payday loans; an obstacle to some of my clients	Payday loans; not a big obstacle to many of my clients
Contract for deed/rent to own (housing);	Contract for deed/rent to own (housing); a big obstacle to many of my clients	Contract for deed/rent to own (housing); an obstacle to some of my clients	Contract for deed/rent to own (housing); not a big obstacle to many of my clients
Rent-to-own (furniture, appliances, etc.);	Rent-to-own (furniture, appliances, etc.); a big obstacle to many of my clients	Rent-to-own (furniture, appliances, etc.); an obstacle to some of my clients	Rent-to-own (furniture, appliances, etc.); not a big obstacle to many of my clients
Car title loan;	Car title loan; a big obstacle to many of my clients	Car title loan; an obstacle to some of my clients	Car title loan; not a big obstacle to many of my clients
Refund anticipation loan;	Refund anticipation loan; a big obstacle to many of my clients	Refund anticipation loan; an obstacle to some of my clients	Refund anticipation loan; not a big obstacle to many of my clients
For-profit credit repair/debt management firms;	For-profit credit repair/debt management firms; a big obstacle to many of my clients	For-profit credit repair/debt management firms; an obstacle to some of my clients	For-profit credit repair/debt management firms; not a big obstacle to many of my clients
For profit foreclosure relief agencies;	For profit foreclosure relief agencies; a big obstacle to many of my clients	For profit foreclosure relief agencies; an obstacle to some of my clients	For profit foreclosure relief agencies; not a big obstacle to many of my clients
mortgage servicers that refuse to work with homeowners in foreclosure adequately.	mortgage servicers that refuse to work with homeowners in foreclosure adequately. a big obstacle to many of my clients	mortgage servicers that refuse to work with homeowners in foreclosure adequately. an obstacle to some of my clients	mortgage servicers that refuse to work with homeowners in foreclosure adequately. not a big obstacle to many of my clients

Other fringe practices I want to highlight:

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* 7. Which of the following financial products has been the biggest obstacle to your clients' efforts to become or remain financially stable?

	a big obstacle to many of my clients	an obstacle to some of my clients	not a big obstacle to many of my clients	N/A
lack of access to small business loans at fair rates	lack of access to small business loans at fair rates a big obstacle to many of my clients	lack of access to small business loans at fair rates an obstacle to some of my clients	lack of access to small business loans at fair rates not a big obstacle to many of my clients	lack of access to small business loans at fair rates N/A
Cell phone contracts	Cell phone contracts a big obstacle to many of my clients	Cell phone contracts an obstacle to some of my clients	Cell phone contracts not a big obstacle to many of my clients	Cell phone contracts N/A
lack of access to home loans at fair rates	lack of access to home loans at fair rates a big obstacle to many of my clients	lack of access to home loans at fair rates an obstacle to some of my clients	lack of access to home loans at fair rates not a big obstacle to many of my clients	lack of access to home loans at fair rates N/A
High-fee credit cards	High-fee credit cards a big obstacle to many of my clients	High-fee credit cards an obstacle to some of my clients	High-fee credit cards not a big obstacle to many of my clients	High-fee credit cards N/A
lack of access to reasonable vehicle loans	lack of access to reasonable vehicle loans a big obstacle to many of my clients	lack of access to reasonable vehicle loans an obstacle to some of my clients	lack of access to reasonable vehicle loans not a big obstacle to many of my clients	lack of access to reasonable vehicle loans N/A
Student loans	Student loans a big obstacle to many of my clients	Student loans an obstacle to some of my clients	Student loans not a big obstacle to many of my clients	Student loans N/A

Other comments or other financial products that are obstacles to my clients:

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* 8. Which of the following tax-related changes would most favorably impact your clients’ financial well-being and ability to build assets?

	Would help many of my clients a lot	Might help some of my clients	Probably would not help most of my clients	N/A
Saver’s bonus that matches tax refund if deposited in savings account	Saver’s bonus that matches tax refund if deposited in savings account Would help many of my clients a lot	Saver’s bonus that matches tax refund if deposited in savings account Might help some of my clients	Saver’s bonus that matches tax refund if deposited in savings account Probably would not help most of my clients	Saver’s bonus that matches tax refund if deposited in savings account N/A
Partnerships with colleges to provide credit for students to serve as VITA site volunteers.	Partnerships with colleges to provide credit for students to serve as VITA site volunteers. Would help many of my clients a lot	Partnerships with colleges to provide credit for students to serve as VITA site volunteers. Might help some of my clients	Partnerships with colleges to provide credit for students to serve as VITA site volunteers. Probably would not help most of my clients	Partnerships with colleges to provide credit for students to serve as VITA site volunteers. N/A
Expand refundable tax credits, such as the Minnesota Working Family Credit and Property Tax Refund	Expand refundable tax credits, such as the Minnesota Working Family Credit and Property Tax Refund Would help many of my clients a lot	Expand refundable tax credits, such as the Minnesota Working Family Credit and Property Tax Refund Might help some of my clients	Expand refundable tax credits, such as the Minnesota Working Family Credit and Property Tax Refund Probably would not help most of my clients	Expand refundable tax credits, such as the Minnesota Working Family Credit and Property Tax Refund N/A
More support to establish volunteer income tax assistance sites (VITA sites) and help additional low- and moderate income Minnesotans access the tax credits they have earned	More support to establish volunteer income tax assistance sites (VITA sites) and help additional low- and moderate income Minnesotans access the tax credits they have earned Would help many of my clients a lot	More support to establish volunteer income tax assistance sites (VITA sites) and help additional low- and moderate income Minnesotans access the tax credits they have earned Might help some of my clients	More support to establish volunteer income tax assistance sites (VITA sites) and help additional low- and moderate income Minnesotans access the tax credits they have earned Probably would not help most of my clients	More support to establish volunteer income tax assistance sites (VITA sites) and help additional low- and moderate income Minnesotans access the tax credits they have earned N/A
Change tax structure so that lower-wealth families are taxed less and high wealth families are taxed more.	Change tax structure so that lower-wealth families are taxed less and high wealth families are taxed more. Would help many of my clients a lot	Change tax structure so that lower-wealth families are taxed less and high wealth families are taxed more. Might help some of my clients	Change tax structure so that lower-wealth families are taxed less and high wealth families are taxed more. Probably would not help most of my clients	Change tax structure so that lower-wealth families are taxed less and high wealth families are taxed more. N/A

Other tax suggestions or feedback

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* 9. Which policies would be most effective in helping your clients to earn an amount necessary for them to become or remain financially stable and to build assets and wealth for future financial growth?

	Most effective strategy	Possibly effective strategy	Probably not effective	N/A
Better access to higher/vocational education and workforce training/coaching	Better access to higher/vocational education and workforce training/coaching Most effective strategy	Better access to higher/vocational education and workforce training/coaching Possibly effective strategy	Better access to higher/vocational education and workforce training/coaching Probably not effective	Better access to higher/vocational education and workforce training/coaching N/A
Tax incentives to businesses if they hire more workers	Tax incentives to businesses if they hire more workers Most effective strategy	Tax incentives to businesses if they hire more workers Possibly effective strategy	Tax incentives to businesses if they hire more workers Probably not effective	Tax incentives to businesses if they hire more workers N/A
Require that businesses receiving economic development incentives (or receiving public contracts?) pay living wages	Require that businesses receiving economic development incentives (or receiving public contracts?) pay living wages Most effective strategy	Require that businesses receiving economic development incentives (or receiving public contracts?) pay living wages Possibly effective strategy	Require that businesses receiving economic development incentives (or receiving public contracts?) pay living wages Probably not effective	Require that businesses receiving economic development incentives (or receiving public contracts?) pay living wages N/A
Tax incentives to businesses that transition to become worker-owned coops	Tax incentives to businesses that transition to become worker-owned coops Most effective strategy	Tax incentives to businesses that transition to become worker-owned coops Possibly effective strategy	Tax incentives to businesses that transition to become worker-owned coops Probably not effective	Tax incentives to businesses that transition to become worker-owned coops N/A
Expanding the government workforce	Expanding the government workforce Most effective strategy	Expanding the government workforce Possibly effective strategy	Expanding the government workforce Probably not effective	Expanding the government workforce N/A
Requiring more diversity in hiring for government jobs and contracts for government projects	Requiring more diversity in hiring for government jobs and contracts for government projects Most effective strategy	Requiring more diversity in hiring for government jobs and contracts for government projects Possibly effective strategy	Requiring more diversity in hiring for government jobs and contracts for government projects Probably not effective	Requiring more diversity in hiring for government jobs and contracts for government projects N/A

Other feedback or proposals to support household/client income

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* 10. Which changes would be most helpful in improving the quality and outcomes of your interactions with clients?

	Most effective strategy	Possibly effective strategy	Probably not effective	N/A
Better communication and support inside my agency and/or with other agencies to catch participants who need continued support or additional referrals;	Better communication and support inside my agency and/or with other agencies to catch participants who need continued support or additional referrals; Most effective strategy	Better communication and support inside my agency and/or with other agencies to catch participants who need continued support or additional referrals; Possibly effective strategy	Better communication and support inside my agency and/or with other agencies to catch participants who need continued support or additional referrals; Probably not effective	Better communication and support inside my agency and/or with other agencies to catch participants who need continued support or additional referrals; N/A
Opportunity to spend more time with each client/lighter caseload	Opportunity to spend more time with each client/lighter caseload Most effective strategy	Opportunity to spend more time with each client/lighter caseload Possibly effective strategy	Opportunity to spend more time with each client/lighter caseload Probably not effective	Opportunity to spend more time with each client/lighter caseload N/A
Fewer restrictions that I must place on my clients activities	Fewer restrictions that I must place on my clients activities Most effective strategy	Fewer restrictions that I must place on my clients activities Possibly effective strategy	Fewer restrictions that I must place on my clients activities Probably not effective	Fewer restrictions that I must place on my clients activities N/A
Less administrative reporting burden	Less administrative reporting burden Most effective strategy	Less administrative reporting burden Possibly effective strategy	Less administrative reporting burden Probably not effective	Less administrative reporting burden N/A
More opportunities and support for follow-up	More opportunities and support for follow-up Most effective strategy	More opportunities and support for follow-up Possibly effective strategy	More opportunities and support for follow-up Probably not effective	More opportunities and support for follow-up N/A
Group strategies to empower clients to gain support from family, friends, colleagues, or other networks, and to provide such support for others	Group strategies to empower clients to gain support from family, friends, colleagues, or other networks, and to provide such support for others Most effective strategy	Group strategies to empower clients to gain support from family, friends, colleagues, or other networks, and to provide such support for others Possibly effective strategy	Group strategies to empower clients to gain support from family, friends, colleagues, or other networks, and to provide such support for others Probably not effective	Group strategies to empower clients to gain support from family, friends, colleagues, or other networks, and to provide such support for others N/A
Access to additional training, resources and tools	Access to additional training, resources and tools Most effective strategy	Access to additional training, resources and tools Possibly effective strategy	Access to additional training, resources and tools Probably not effective	Access to additional training, resources and tools N/A

Other changes or feedback

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* 11. What do you think are the most important foundations for the clients and communities you serve to build and maintain assets?

	Most important foundation for asset building	Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Not an important foundation for asset building	N/A
Vehicle loan/donation/repair programs	Vehicle loan/donation/repair programs Most important foundation for asset building	Vehicle loan/donation/repair programs Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Vehicle loan/donation/repair programs Not an important foundation for asset building	Vehicle loan/donation/repair programs N/A
More support for ex-felons after incarceration	More support for ex-felons after incarceration Most important foundation for asset building	More support for ex-felons after incarceration Somewhat important foundation for asset building	More support for ex-felons after incarceration Not an important foundation for asset building	More support for ex-felons after incarceration N/A
More support for living wage job creation	More support for living wage job creation Most important foundation for asset building	More support for living wage job creation Somewhat important foundation for asset building	More support for living wage job creation Not an important foundation for asset building	More support for living wage job creation N/A
Lift asset limits and/or other reforms to public benefits	Lift asset limits and/or other reforms to public benefits Most important foundation for asset building	Lift asset limits and/or other reforms to public benefits Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Lift asset limits and/or other reforms to public benefits Not an important foundation for asset building	Lift asset limits and/or other reforms to public benefits N/A
Access to fair lending-- affordable home loans and small business loans	Access to fair lending-- affordable home loans and small business loans Most important foundation for asset building	Access to fair lending-- affordable home loans and small business loans Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Access to fair lending-- affordable home loans and small business loans Not an important foundation for asset building	Access to fair lending-- affordable home loans and small business loans N/A
Access to education and training for higher wage jobs	Access to education and training for higher wage jobs Most important foundation for asset building	Access to education and training for higher wage jobs Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Access to education and training for higher wage jobs Not an important foundation for asset building	Access to education and training for higher wage jobs N/A
Comprehensive health care, including mental health care	Comprehensive health care, including mental health care Most important foundation for asset building	Comprehensive health care, including mental health care Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Comprehensive health care, including mental health care Not an important foundation for asset building	Comprehensive health care, including mental health care N/A
Development/support of coops	Development/support of coops Most important foundation for asset building	Development/support of coops Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Development/support of coops Not an important foundation for asset building	Development/support of coops N/A
Citizenship rights / path to citizenship	Citizenship rights / path to citizenship Most important foundation for asset building	Citizenship rights / path to citizenship Somewhat important foundation for asset building	Citizenship rights / path to citizenship Not an important foundation for asset building	Citizenship rights / path to citizenship N/A

Other feedback or ideas for foundations to build assets

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* 12. Please share a story about your work with a client as an example of the challenges that make it hard to be successful. These stories will remain anonymous and will only be used with your permission and the approval of your organization.

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* 13. Please share a success story. These stories will remain anonymous and will only be used with your permission and the approval of your organization.

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* 14. With approval from your organization, would you be willing to share a success/challenge story as a testimonial in the future, and/or to invite one of your clients to participate as well? These testimonials will only be used in coordination with the director or designated staff liaison from your organization.

I am willing to write a testimonial as a letter to the editor of a local newspaper

I am willing to record a video testimonial

I am willing to meet with a legislator to provide a testimonial

I am willing to invite one or more of my clients to provide a testimonial (written, video or in person)

I am not comfortable or ready at this time

Other feedback or ideas for advocacy/testimonials

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* 15. Is there anything else not covered in the survey that you would like to give feedback about, including other obstacles to financial stability that were not covered in the survey?

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* 16. Please provide your contact information so that we can stay in touch with more opportunities for feedback and advocacy in the future.

First and last name:

Agency:

Email:

Phone: