Extension financial educator to start jail reentry program and senior budgeting classes

An extension program representative, serving as the county’s financial educator while the usual staff member is on vacation, updated the Natural Resources Committee on outreach programs. The educator said she has been working with Bridgeview Commons and a senior center to hold budgeting classes for older residents and is continuing financial coaching through the regional Southwest CAP Work‑in‑Wheels program, which provides low‑ or no‑interest vehicle loans (up to $5,000) paired with coaching.

Starting Aug. 13, the educator will launch a twice‑weekly “reentry ready” class series at the county jail to provide people preparing for release with basic financial education — topics include bank accounts, credit and budgeting — at the request of jail staff. The educator said the jail stays are often short but the staff believe the information will be useful.

The educator asked the committee whether members wanted email updates on program schedules; she said a producer social for local agricultural producers is scheduled Aug. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Turbos in Hub City and that she will try to attend. No formal action was taken; the educator’s items were informational updates.