The problem:
Foster youth living with disabilities often lacked access to financial literacy education and tools, limiting their ability to save SSI/SSDI funds and plan for the future. Governor Kelly’s EO 25-01 and House Committee requests highlighted the need for accessible ABLE account education and financial empowerment.
Action:
KCDD partnered with the KS State Treasurer, DCF, and KCEE to develop and offer financial empowerment classes for foster youth. The classes, held twice weekly, teach savings, investing, protecting funds, and ABLE accounts. KCDD helped ensure materials and sessions were accessible and tailored to youth with disabilities.
Results:
Over 500 foster children were enrolled in Kansas ABLE accounts, with funds being saved for future use. Classes reached dozens of youth and caregivers, providing practical financial skills. The initiative expanded public access to financial empowerment resources and laid a foundation for long-term financial literacy in foster youth with disabilities.
KCDD ensured the program was designed with the needs of people with disabilities in mind, leveraging partnerships to embed accessibility and family-centered approaches into the project.