Douglas County, GA- By a 5 – 0 bipartisan unanimous vote, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the University of West Georgia to provide financial literacy and entrepreneurship programming and resources for County residents.
The partnership was announced during the County’s April 19th board meeting, and is the brainchild of Douglas County Vice Chairman, Kelly G. Robinson. “I’ve long advocated for providing our residents with not only the means to fiscally succeed, but also the knowledge to obtain financial freedom. This program will do both and is a dream come true. It is the perfect way to observe Financial Literacy Awareness Month.”
The program is officially called The Douglas County Master Class Series -Financial and Entrepreneurship Recovery Fundamentals. Residents will have access to the free program via a series of short customized online videos which serve as a gateway to additional online learning opportunities with the University. Those who complete the program will qualify for a certificate of completion, an option for continuing education credit(s), and the opportunity for course credit(s).
Dr. Kim Holder, Director the University’s Center for Economic Education & Financial Literacy, shared with the board how the three-year program could prove life-changing for Douglas County constituents whom the University also serves. “By providing expert guidance, over time, we should see outcomes that provide additional social and material support,” said Holder. This matters because just like there is a cycle of poverty, cycles of wealth also exist.
Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, says, “We are pleased to pass along this federal funding directly to the citizens through this program, and we are excited to partner with the University of West Georgia to provide this important and valuable opportunity for our citizens.” The Board of Commissioners plan a formal launch of the project in May 2022. Residents will have access to the program by visiting a customized webpage on the County’s official website.