12-19 - Attachment N-FEC Counselor Training Overview.pdf

FEC Counselor Training or FEC Program Manager Training Ruzuku Course This course guides Counselors and Program Managers through the FEC training and exam process. The course includes modules related to the FEC Model, the FEC Code of Ethics and Professional Practices, and Legacy Planning as described below. New FEC Program Managers are invited to FEC Program Manager Training which includes the same modules as the Counselor course plus additional role-specific content.

• The course is hosted online on the Ruzuku platform, and is self-paced.

• FEC Program Managers request access for themselves and their counselors through the FEC Staff Request Form.

• Counselors and Managers should begin Module A (Course & Training Introduction) before beginning other trainings.

Financial Counseling Core Training The Financial Counseling core training is delivered by an approved third-party training provider and covers:

• Context of Poverty and Socio-Economic Factors of Poverty

• Financial Content

• Counseling & Coaching Skills Local FEC management selects their training provider from the CFE-Fund approved training provider list. While some of the training providers offer their own certifications, they are not required by the CFE Fund. Counselors should prioritize the CFE Fund Exams before taking exams offered by the training providers.

Legacy Planning CFE Fund provides additional training around Legacy Planning to supplement the core training. These lessons are found in Module B of the FEC Counselor Training Ruzuku course. Counselors should complete this module prior to submitting Exams 1 and 2.

FEC Exam 1 – Financial Content FEC Exam 2 – Counseling and Coaching Skills

• FEC Exams 1 and 2 are accessed through the FEC Counselor Training or FEC Program Manager Training.

• The Financial Counseling Core Training and the Legacy Planning module are pre-requisites for these exams.

• These exams take up to 10 business days to score. Information on scoring the exam can be found here.

• Because these exams take the most time to prepare for and complete, we recommend prioritizing their completion in your training timeline.

https://courses.cfefundtrainings.org/courses/00000020-000b-4489-52b1-00000000004a https://fecbot.typeform.com/to/xNqYts5f https://fecpublic.force.com/fecbot/s/contentdocument/0696f000007kfFdAAI https://fecpublic.my.site.com/community/s/contentdocument/0696f00000DHc9EAAT

FEC Model Specific Modules in Ruzuku

• FEC Model: Lessons in this module cover the FEC model, FEC counseling process, and the FEC outcomes. Counselors access this module in the online FEC Counselor Training Ruzuku course (Module D). Program Managers access this course in the online Program Manager Training Ruzuku course (Module D).

• Code of Ethics and Professional Practices: The lessons in this module provide an overview of the ethical standards for all FEC staff. All Counselors and Program Managers must complete the Code of Ethics module (Module E) and sign the Code of Ethics (sent separately via email) before seeing clients. Program Managers should keep a record of the signed forms for each of their Counselors.

Database Training This training covers the FEC database (FECBOT). The FEC Model module in Ruzuku must be completed before starting the CFE Fund Database Training. FEC staff will be provided access to FECBOT upon signing the FECBOT User Agreement.

• For new FECs and new Financial Counseling Providers, this training is hosted live by the CFE Fund for 1 day. The CFE Fund TA Lead will coordinate with the FEC Program Manager to determine training dates.

• For new Counselors at existing FECs, this training is found in a separate Ruzuku course, FECBOT Training On-Demand.

FEC Exam Part 3 – FEC Model & Database

• Exam 3 is accessed in the FEC Counselor Training or FEC Program Manager Training course.

• The FEC Model and Code of Ethics modules and Database Training are pre-requisites for Exam 3.

Locally-Managed Trainings The following trainings are coordinated by local FEC management, and do not have to be approved by the CFE Fund:

• Community Partner Training: Counselors learn about community partners, local resources, and referral processes. Program managers determine which trainings are required prior to seeing clients and which can be incorporated in continuing education.

• Local Training: Counselors learn issues relevant to the locality, such as state and local consumer financial protection regulations and public benefit eligibility. Program managers determine which trainings are required prior to seeing clients versus continuing education.

• Experiential Learning & Shadowing: Counselors must complete 20-30 hours of practice and observation. This requirement helps counselors apply financial content, practice counseling and coaching skills and become comfortable with the flow of counseling sessions.

Examples of experiential learning activities include: shadowing experienced Counselor, mock counseling, data entry practice, case management review, and co-counseling in sessions.

https://courses.cfefundtrainings.org/courses/00000020-000b-4489-52b1-000000000059

Optional: Additional Ruzuku Trainings The following trainings are offered by the CFE Fund as continuing education for counselors and program managers. They do not have to be completed prior to seeing clients. FEC Staff typically receive invitations to these courses a few months after they begin counseling.

• The Heart of FEC Counseling: This course provides additional training on how to be a successful counselor.

• The Heart of FEC Management: This course provides additional training and best practices related to Program Management including additional training on how to use FECBOT reports and dashboards.

• Banking Access: This course focuses on the importance of banking access for FEC clients, how Counselors can use the Bank On National

Account Standards, understanding different types of financial technology, guidance on how to work with clients to achieve the

FEC banking outcomes, and additional banking resources.

To complete the FEC Training Standards necessary to begin seeing clients, Counselors and Program Managers must:

1. Submit a signed Code of Ethics;

2. Complete required pre-requisite trainings; and

3. Pass the CFE Fund-administered exams by receiving a weighted average of 70% or above across Exams 1, 2 and 3.

Example Timeline

Week 1 Begin FEC Counselor or FEC Program Manager Training (Module A)

Financial Counseling Core Training (1-8 weeks—dependent on training provider)

Legacy Planning Training (Module B)

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5 FEC Exam 1 – Financial Content (Module C) FEC Exam 2 – Counseling & Coaching Skills (Module C)

Week 6 FEC Model (Module D)

Code of Ethics (Module E) Database Training (live or FECBOT On-Demand)

Shadowing and Experiential Learning

(20-30 hours)

Week 7 FEC Exam Part 3 –FEC Model & Database (Module F)

Week 8 Local Training and Partner Training

Week 9

FEC Training Checklist

Counselors must complete all the components below to be eligible to see FEC clients:

❑ Access FEC Counselor or FEC Manager Training Ruzuku course – sent via email by the CFE Fund o Complete Module A: Course & Training Introduction

❑ Complete Exam 1 and 2 Pre-Requisites o Financial Counseling Core Training - delivered by a pre-approved third-party training provider o Legacy Planning Training – found in the Counselor and Program Manager Training in Ruzuku

❑ Sign the FECBOT User Agreement and Code of Ethics and Professional Practices – sent via email by the CFE Fund ❑ Complete Exam 3 Pre-Requisites o FEC Model training- found in the Counselor and Program Manager Training in Ruzuku o Code of Ethics- found in the Counselor and Program Manager Training in Ruzuku o Database Training – delivered live by the CFE Fund or through FECBOT Training On-Demand

❑ 20+ hours of Shadowing and Experiential Learning – coordinated by local FEC management ❑ Partner and Local Trainings – coordinated by local FEC management

Counselors must complete all the exam parts below and pass with a total score of 70% or higher to be eligible to see FEC clients. All three exams can be accessed in the online FEC Counselor or Manager Training Ruzuku course:

❑ Exam 1 – Financial Content ❑ Exam 2 – Counseling and Coaching Skills ❑ Exam 3 – FEC Model and Database