Governor LePage and Coalition of Government, Nonprofit, and Business Leaders Announce Fifth Annual Conference: ‘Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools'

Governor Paul R. LePage and a coalition of government, nonprofit and corporate leaders are announcing the 5th Annual "Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference". The resource-rich learning opportunity will take place May 8, 2014 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

Organized by the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, the Conference will feature state and national experts offering teachers, counselors, and community educators specialized resources and best practices designed to include financial education in the K-12 and post-secondary experience. The event is funded largely through grants and private contributions.

"Greater financial literacy among young people benefits Maine's families, communities and economy," Governor LePage said. "This annual statewide conference gives teachers valuable tools and resources needed to creatively share financial information and instill life-long money management skills."

"The Office of Securities is proud to mark the fifth year of partnering with the Maine Jump$tart Coalition," Securities Administrator Judy Shaw said. "Basic financial literacy is essential for young people to achieve their goals. We are excited to help Maine's educators expand and enhance their financial literacy instruction."

Workshops will be offered featuring financial literacy resources for Pre-K through college age groups. Other sessions will provide training on how to best utilize technology to advance personal finance education. Attendees will receive free financial education resources and materials from Conference exhibitors.

Organizers are offering financial support to schools on a first-come, first-served basis to cover the $25 Conference registration fee, as well as funds to meet other expenses, including a substitute teacher for the day of the event. To receive updates on the Conference and notification about registration, email info@mejumpstart.org. For additional information about the event or funding, please call Maine's Office of Securities at 1-877-624-8551 or e-mail Lindsay.J.Laxon@maine.gov.

The Maine Jump$tart Coalition was named 2014's coalition of the year by the National Jump$tart Board. This is the first time any state in the northeast has received this honor. Maine Jump$tart Coalition members organizing the May 8 event include Maine's Office of Securities, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), the Maine Credit Union League, and the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions.

The Office of Securities is part of Maine's Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (www.maine.gov/pfr). Maine Jump$tart is the state affiliated chapter of the national JumpStart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, a non-profit coalition of organizations dedicated to improving the financial literacy of pre-kindergarten through college-age youth. www.jumpstart.org.