§ 2B — Educational program; services

Section 2B. (a) Subject to appropriation, the department of transitional assistance shall create an educational program to be implemented in each department of transitional assistance office. The educational program shall: (i) provide financial education information as described in this section and assist in the development of economic independence goals under section 15 of chapter 118; (ii) inform the recipient of available transportation options; (iii) identify available education and training resources available to the recipient; (iv) educate the recipient about proper card usage, card and PIN security and penalties for abuse or fraud associated with trafficking or fraudulent representation of need of transitional aid; (v) educate the recipient about the advantages of having a bank account and basic financial management; (vi) identify local job opportunities, where available; and (vii) educate the recipient about other topics that the department considers appropriate.(b) As part of the program, in consultation with the department of higher education, the community college system, the public university system, and the University of Massachusetts system, the department shall maintain in each local office an up-to-date list, which shall include: (i) a description of all educational certificate programs and higher education programs, which may be available to the recipient; (ii) financial aid officials at public institutions of higher education; and (iii) financial aid programs, including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, loans and work study programs. The program shall also counsel children age 14 and older, whose parents receive transitional aid for families with dependent children, on how to access higher education without incurring debt.(c) As part of the program, the department shall provide recipients with a list of already existing free or low-cost financial education programs. In developing the list of financial education programs, the department shall collaborate with the office of the state treasurer, the Massachusetts Credit Union League, the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Midas Collaborative, the Moving from Debt to Assets program and the Massachusetts Financial Education Collaborative. Any financial education program included on the recommended program list shall, at a minimum, provide guidance on: (i) tracking daily spending habits; (ii) preparing a monthly budget; (iii) identifying ways to decrease spending; (iv) identifying ways to increase income; (v) listing and prioritizing financial goals; and (vi) recognizing how to create a plan to achieve financial goals.