Attorney General Janet Mills receives Innovation in Financial Capability Award

HOULTON, ME - Last week Maine Attorney General Janet Mills was honored at Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton with the 2018 Financial Capability Innovation Award, presented by the nation's leading technology innovator, EVERFI, Inc. The award recognized the Attorney General's significant efforts to improve the financial literacy of Maine students through unique digital learning initiatives. This important initiative has empowered approximately four thousand Maine students in forty-five different communities.

"As the state's chief law enforcement officer, I take seriously the responsibility to protect Maine citizens from fraud and equip them with tools to be savvy consumers. We are honored to be recognized for the financial education we've provided to high school students over the years," stated Attorney General Mills. "My office strongly believes in the importance of teaching financial literacy to ensure our students grow up to become financially astute and stable adults. We're proud to support educators across our state in this critical mission."

At Region Two School of Applied Technology teacher Robert "Bo" Zabierek implements the interactive digital program as part of its mission to support career development and life skills. Bo was the first educator in Maine to earn a teacher certification in financial education through a partnership with EVERFI and Bloomboard. "Our CTE Director, David Keaton, implemented the requirement that all Region Two program completers attain a certification in financial literacy", says Bo. "Attorney General Janet Mills has provided us with that pathway through her sponsorship of the program."

Honorees of the Financial Capability Innovation Award were selected based on a set of criteria that included the scale and reach of their financial education initiatives, the duration of their commitment, and unique employee volunteering activities that supplement their programs.

"Each year, we honor institutions that are truly dedicated to going above and beyond in service to their communities," said Ray Martinez, EVERFI President of Financial Education. "The Financial Capability Innovation Awards have given us the opportunity to share and celebrate the tremendous investment these institutions are making and continue to make in the communities where they live, work, and serve. For EVERFI, our time here reminds us just how critical the role innovation continues to play in empowering Americans to pursue economic opportunity and achieve financial security for themselves, their families, and their community."

Attorney General Janet Mills is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the increasingly complex financial world we live in. The partnership between the Attorney General's office and EVERFI, which launched in August 2016, brings financial literacy to local students at no cost to schools or taxpayers and has reached over 3,500 students. The web-based program uses the latest in simulation and gaming technologies to bring complex financial concepts to life for today's digital generation.