UW Extension Offers Money Manager Coach Course in Gillette

University of Wyoming Extension is offering a train-the-trainer course in Gillette to help community organization members help those they serve improve money management skills.

The Master Money Manager Coach program is Wednesday-Thursday, March 7-8, at the George Amos Memorial Library Cottonwood Room, says Michelle Pierce, UW Extension community development educator based in Campbell County.

Participants are trained to help individuals learn basic money management skills and become financially stable, she says. The program is recommended for community organizations, nonprofits and agencies.

Open registration ends Monday, March 5. A registration fee of $125 covers the class and two lunches and snacks, Pierce says. Scholarships are available, and space is limited.

During the course, coaches and the clients they work with will be more prepared for a financial emergency, feel more financially secure, spend less than they make each month and increase their savings, Pierce says.

Pierce adds that she works with agencies that are required to teach some type of money management, such as budgeting.

“Many times, agency professionals are left to Google financial resources versus using researched-based information to assist their clients with financial literacy education,” Pierce says.

The FDIC Money Smart curriculum gives community organizations a money coaching kit in a box, she says. Items include outlines, presentations, activities and examples for budgets, housing, transportation and money emergencies. The two-day training introduces the curriculum, teaches about adult learning and provides tools to use in interacting with clients. The curriculum covers 11 topics, from banking to debt management to making large purchases.

No knowledge of teaching or money management is necessary, Pierce says.

For more information and to sign up, call Pierce at (307) 682-7281 or email mrp10@ccgov.net.