Financial Coaching Certification
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Financial Coaching Certification
The Center for Financial Empowerment’s Training Institute is excited to introduce the Financial Coaching Certification Training Program. This is a localized, regional training program designed specifically with the needs of our Los Angeles County residents in mind.
The Financial Coaching Certification Training Program goals
The goal of the program is to provide front line staff with the tools to help county residents achieve their financial goals. Through the program we also aim to:
- Provide financial security to County residents and address matters of equity and inclusion among underserved communities
- Support our local community-based organizations (CBOs) by providing professional development opportunities, and fostering community and collaboration and shared learnings among service providers, funders, and other stakeholders
- Improve the consistency of financial coaching services, foster accountability by demonstrating impact, standardizing outcomes, and sharing data
Why get certified through the Center for Financial Empowerment?
- Localized, regional curriculum
If you provide financial guidance to County LMI county residents, administer social service programs or make referrals this is the program for you.
About the Financial Coaching Certification Training Program
The training program will begin with its first cohort of participants in April 2022. It will offer the following:
- Money Management Essentials (MME) Course: proprietary financial education content provided by Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE) to demonstrate financial education competencies.
- Financial Coaching Foundations (FCF) Course*: proprietary financial coaching training module provided by SFS as a certificate.
- Financial Fitness Coach (FFC) Course*: proprietary coach training modules provided by SFS required for certification.
*Note: these courses will be offered to select participants.
The training offers these features throughout the courses:
- Self-paced videos and assessments
- Live virtual sessions
- Active listening and interactive participation
- Opportunity to practice new skills during online sessions
- Training mentors and observed coaching sessions
Participants will be expected to complete all required components of each course to receive their certificate and/or certification. The CFE will also require that participating organizations provide aggregate impact data to demonstrate the long-term impact this training will have on services provided.
Do I or my organization have to be in the financial coaching/counseling field in order to participate in the program?
Yes. This is a selective program and open to non-profit service providers, Community Based Organizations and Los Angeles County employees who provide services that involve financial empowerment, i.e. counseling and/or coaching.
Does my organization have to be located within Los Angeles County to be eligible to participate in the program?
Yes. This program takes a localized approach and focuses on the unique needs of Los Angeles County residents.
What does it take to get a certificate/certification?
Participants will be expected to complete all required components of each course to receive their certificate and/or certification. All participants must complete the Money Management Essentials course as a prerequisite to FCF & FFC courses. The FCF & FFC courses are optional and based on the need of each organization.
Is there a fee to participate in this program?
No, however DCBA is sponsoring select individuals to participate in the program. Participating organizations will be asked to provide aggregate impact data to demonstrate the long-term effect this training will have on services provided.
What is the curriculum for the program?
The virtual training program will offer the following courses:
- Money Management Essentials (MME) Course: proprietary financial education content provided by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE®) to demonstrate financial education competencies.
- Financial Coaching Foundations (FCF) Course*: proprietary financial coach training module provided by SFS as a certificate.
- Financial Fitness Coach (FFC) Course*: proprietary coach training modules provided by SFS required for certification.
*These courses will be offered to select participants.
Will there be mandatory assignments I have to complete outside of the training sessions?
Yes, there will be required assignments to complete outside of the training sessions and are required to receive courses’ certificate/certification.
Will there be any consequences if I decide to drop out of the program halfway?
No; however, you will not receive a certificate. We encourage interested participants to be sure you can commit the time and effort required to complete this valuable course. This program will not be open to everyone, so we urge you to consider this when applying.
Sage Financial Services (SFS) is a Bay area non-profit organization founded by Saundra Davis in 2005. Ms. Davis has 30+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector and is a nationally recognized financial coach, educator, consultant, and dynamic motivational speaker. She is passionate about her work with community-based organizations that focus on asset building for the working poor. SFS believes that everyone needs and deserves access to competent, ethical financial services.
SFS provides financial coach training to organizations seeking to increase their staff’s capacity. During the training, participants discover and practice using coaching fundamentals, skills and tools. CBO participants are introduced to a range of key financial content topics – debt/credit, savings/investing, etc. – and learn how to effectively coach clients in these areas.
If you are interested in participating in the program, reach out to us via email at CFETrainingInstitute@DCBA.lacounty.gov
