Community Education & Services
O v e r v i e w


FFCDC provides a growing selection of programs and services designed to help community residents improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

FFCDC is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency. We have received extensive training through Neighborhood Reinvestment Training Institute, HUD, FDIC, The Foundation Center, and other authoritative organizations, in order to bring the highest level of quality to the community.

Education
1.   Understanding, Building, And Maintaining Your Credit Course:
Personal Finances And Homeownership Education Page Understanding, Building, and Maintaining Your Credit is a full-day course designed to help residents in our communities build financial knowledge, increase personal wealth, enhance money management skills and develop financial confidence.
    The course teaches participants:
  • How to establish and maintain a good credit score
  • Ways to reduce their debt and manage their finances
  • Financial literacy and lifelong financial management skills
2.   HOMEBUYERS COURSE:
Homebuyers Education Program Page A full-day course for those that are looking to purchase a home.
    Topics include:
  • The advantages and disadvantages of owning a home
  • How to find the right house in the right neighborhood
  • The steps to getting a mortgage loan
  • Keeping your home and managing your finances
  • How to put together a team of professionals that will help you achieve your goals
3.   HOMEOWNERS COURSE:
A full-day course for current homeowners.
    Topics include:
  • The best repairs you can make to add value to your home
  • How to qualify for home equity loans and refinancing
  • How to prevent delinquency and avoid foreclosure
  • How to protect your investment through home security and insurance policies
4.   SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT COURSE:
A full-day course on:
  • Steps to successful financial management and building wealth
  • Managing risk and navigating through investment options
  • Understanding stocks, bonds, CD's, mutual funds, IRA's, 401(k)'s, 529's, etc., saving for college and retirement, and more!
5.   STARTING, RUNNING, AND GROWING YOUR OWN BUSINESS:
FFCDC and our partners offer high quality courses and workshops designed to equip you with the tools you need for success in your for-profit or non-profit business. Topics include the incorporation process, market research, strategic planning, financing, and more.

Services
1.   OFF-SITE PRESENTATIONS:
FFCDC is available to conduct the above education courses in either 45-minute, 90-minute, or three or six hour workshops at your location (ex: businesses, housing authorities, churches, and community centers)

2.   TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CORPORATIONS:
FFCDC and our partners provide training and technical assistance to other faith-based (FBO) and nonprofit organizations (NPO). Using the leading nonprofit assessment tool, Elements of an Effectively Managed Organization(EEMO™), we cover leadership, mission, planning, structure, systems, results, and much more.

3.   FINANCIAL AND HOMEBUYERS COUNSELING FOR CONSUMERS:
FFCDC provides one-on-one counseling services to help people who are in need make decisions to ensure their financial livelihood for years to come. Please see the reverse side for more details.


Financial and Homebuyers Counseling

S e r v i c e s

FFCDC provides one-on-one counseling services to help people who are in need make decisions to ensure their financial livelihood for years to come. FFCDC is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency with numerous trainings completed by NeighborWorks Training Institute, FDIC, HUD, Freddie Mac, private lenders, and more. The following is an overview of the areas of assistance we provide and the steps we take in providing assistance:

FINANCIAL COUNSELING
  • Assess client’s levels of debt and income
  • Formulate a budget based on financial obligations
  • Assist client in negotiating better loan terms, interest rates, and correcting any errors on credit report
  • Develop a debt repayment plan with surplus income
HOMEBUYERS COUNSELING
  • Determine client’s levels of debt and income
  • Explore the different loan products provided from different lending institutions
  • Calculate the mortgage for which the client could qualify
  • Formulate a plan to increase client’s ability to qualify for a mortgage, including improving credit score, etc.
  • Refer client to partner lenders
  • Analyze loan offers to screen for possible predatory practices
HOME EQUITY LOANS, LINES OF CREDIT, AND REFINANCING COUNSELING
  • Determine client’s reason for wanting a Home Equity Loan, Line of Credit or Refinancing
  • Advise client on how each product would best suit their financial goals
  • Ensure that client is practicing money management skills to avoid putting home in jeopardy
  • Inform client of any partner products with favorable terms for their needs
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION
  • Assess the length of time since the client’s last payment, the incident's) that led to the delinquency, and whether the adverse circumstances still exist
  • Determine client’s level of income and outstanding debts while assisting and developing a family budget
  • Determine if there has been any predatory lending involved, and contact Legal Services if necessary
  • Contact client’s lender to negotiate a loan workout, including modification of the loan terms, a repayment plan, selling the property, etc.
BANKRUPTCY
  • Determine the level of debt, income and expenses
  • Analyze the type of debt to determine if bankruptcy would eliminate it
  • Explore alternatives to bankruptcy
  • Advise client on their options and the effect bankruptcy could have on their financial future, including ability to purchase a home, obtain credit, etc.
Certified instructors, industry professionals, and highly trained community volunteers conduct all courses and counseling.

Community Education Overview