FRAMEWORK FOR FABC FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 19- 21ST
(Note: November 20th -full day session)
Guide for Presenters - Call for Abstracts - Which also serves as a template for the Conference
Deadline for submission of Abstracts: September 18, 2009
I. Conference Overview:
The current economic downturn underscores the central role asset ownership plays in the economic security of families. Families with assets (savings, real estate, financial & economic literacy and skills) usually have the ability to buffer the negative impact of a job loss, chronic health problem and/or natural disasters. As Floridians, we must develop the will and means to ensure that all individuals and families have the opportunity to broaden savings and assets ownership, thereby having real opportunities to get ahead and invest in the overall success of the economy.
FABC's ultimate mission is to work in partnership with organizations, communities and families to create policies and access to mechanisms to save, invest and preserve financial assets. It is our expectation that the creation of strategic policies will assure that asset building opportunities will be available for communities and families of color, as well as for all low - to moderate income families.
II. Conference Objectives:
FABC is calling for a new paradigm shift by creating fitting polices that are targeted to low and moderate income individuals and families, expanding financial and wealth building access for both personal savings assets and individual ownership. This asset-building perspective should be strengthened and directed towards those of the greatest needs. The call for abstracts is to address the following:
PROPOSED TOPICS
All Tracks may address the local (to include rural communities/counties), state,
tribal and federal levels.
Track 1: Asset Accumulation (Policy strategies that engage families to save)
This track will address the many hurdles that discourage the low and moderate income
families from saving including educational, institutional and economic barriers.
Track 2: Asset Leveraging (Policies and programs that enable low- to moderate income
individuals and families to transform their limited savings into investment through
capital ownership for larger assets, i.e. home & business ownership)
This track will examine asset building policy initiatives; including policies and
programs that enable individuals and families to transform savings into investment
through capital ownership. This will provide guidance for practitioners to actively
engage in promoting such policies for the State of Florida.
Track 3: Asset Preservation (Includes policies and programs that enable families to protect
their assets.)
This track will feature effective practices of asset building from across Florida
and throughout the United States, with an emphasis on policies and programs that
enable families to protect their assets. Sharing the experiences of practitioners
and highlighting new models or existing models that show promising or best practices
for program design, implementation and scale is important.
Track 4: Innovation
This innovation track will feature new and emerging issues, best or promising
practices, policies, and partnerships in the field of asset development and
preservation.
Track 5: Hurricane Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Mitigation and Rebuilding
This track will feature information from recent hurricane experiences and
challenges, i.e. preparedness, response and recovery plans; practices that fosters
interagency learning, and coordination.
Track 6: The People's Agenda
This track will feature information/data/stories from the voices of individuals
whose households are "asset poor". Information on what type of policies would be
fitting and why; what is lacking in existing policies; or the challenges, barriers,
solutions to access and financial well being. This description is not limited to
the above, but should serve as a platform/voice of individuals and families that not
only address the problems, but provide solutions that will work.
III. Post Conference Objectives
1) Develop and publish proceedings
2) Implement a statewide needs assessment on asset building
3) Develop recommendations
4) Develop strategies to bring on board key State of Florida officials on board
5) Broad coalition to include key political figures, corporations, and other influential entities and individuals
6) Establish a grassroots advisory board
7) Launch a public policy campaign on asset building
8) Establish pilot projects
9) Explore Opportunities for networking and building future partnerships