County Program Teaches Young People Critical Financial and Computer Skills
Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today congratulated eight local young people who completed the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ (DCFS) two-day “Youth Financial Literacy & Computer Training Program,” an annual course that teaches participants valuable financial and computer skills.
DCFS again partnered with the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board and the Dutchess One Stop to coordinate financial, computer and budgeting training for local young people, many of whose families receive services from DCFS.
The young participants began this week’s intensive program by learning how to identify their skillset, then composing a résumé and cover letter to grab potential employers’ attention. They also gained important computer skills, including learning the dangers and appropriate use of the Internet and social media; and they learned about financial literacy, budgeting and using formulas in Microsoft Excel through a hands-on, real-life scenario where they made budget decisions for a family of four. In addition to Excel, participants learned how to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to complete school assignment and projects. The participants concluded the program by learning about the Dutchess County One Stop Career and Employment Center, as well as the available services to help them find jobs.
County Executive Molinaro said, “I’m proud of each of the young men and women who have completed the Dutchess County’s Youth Financial Literacy & Computer Training Program – young people who have dedicated themselves to preparing for a successful future for themselves and their families. Dutchess County thanks its partners for their continued collaboration, make this annual program a success for the hundreds of participants who have benefited from the lessons it teaches. I congratulate each of today’s graduates, and we, as a county, look forward to seeing how the skills and resources they’ve gained this week will result in bright futures.”
Ranging in age from 13 to 18, the students were required to achieve satisfactory attendance and satisfactory grades in school to qualify for this week’s program. After successfully completing the program, each participant earned a laptop computer and printer to help them follow their goals of attending college and pursuing a career.
Since its inception in 2007, the computer training program has served 276 youth. Ninety-five percent of youth participating in the program from 2011 to 2021 are no longer on Temporary Assistance.
This program has been recognized as a best practice for youth job preparation and was showcased at the 2015 summer conference of the New York Public Welfare Association. The program is funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Foster Care Block Grant.
