CT nonprofit launches online financial literacy program

The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) has launched Financial Avenue, a free, online financial education program to help adults and young adults better manage their money and assets.  The program is the latest in a full range of financial literacy services offered by the New Haven-based CAHS, including in-person classes at partner nonprofits throughout the state.  The new on-line courses provide an option for those who have had trouble making it to  scheduled on-ground classes. Students can earn up to 16 certificates in specific topics and work at their own pace.  According to the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, two-thirds of American adults earning less than $30,000 use the internet. In addition lower-income internet users (earning $25,000 or less) tend to spend more time on the internet than others, about 13 hours online per month.

CAHS also offers the Connecticut Money School as well as a series of downloadable fact sheets on various financial topics. Connecticut Money School (CMS) is a project of the CAHS  and five nonprofit partners.

To sign up or receive more information on the Financial Avenue program, visit www.ctmoney.org.  Class topics span a wide range of topics including: Budgeting, Borrowing Money, Tackling Debt, Understanding Insurance, Taxes & You, Understanding a Paycheck, Importance of Saving, Banking Basics, Investing in Your Future, Your First Job, Paying for College, Working in College, Credit History, Credit Cards, Contracts, and Identity Theft.

A $25,000 grant from the First Niagara Bank Foundation helped launch Financial Avenue.