Here are the responses we received:

1. The Oklahoma Homebuyer Education Association (OHEA) is holding a 5-day train-the-trainer for certifying homebuyer education specialists in Edmond, Oklahoma, on April 22-26, 2013. “OHEA Certified Homebuyer Education Professionals are authorized to provide homebuyer education certificates for USDA Rural Development loans, Federal Home Loan Bank Set-Aside Programs down payments, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency administered lending and down payment products, etc."

   The cost is $425.00. 

   To access the online registration form, please go to: http://www.homebuyereducation.info/trainsessions.htm or call (405) 949-1495 to register. 
    

2. First Bank & Trust Company, with locations in Duncan, Waurika, Healdton, Ardmore, and Norman, Oklahoma, has offered to provide financial education to interested tribes or tribal programs, etc.  If you would like to speak with them about this offer, please contact: Shannon Truax, AVP-Audit Manager, at (580) 255-1810.  She may also be reached at struax@fb247.com.
    
3. Several active Native financial education programs in the state are continuing to provide their financial education classes in April but do not have additional events scheduled. 
    
4. ONAC serves Native communities in Oklahoma.  As there are only several Native asset-building coalitions nationally, we also have what we term “ONAC Friends” who we may communicate with about Native asset-building programs through emails and peer learning calls.   One such “ONAC Friend” is the Sac & Fox Financial Literacy Committee in Iowa.   They responded to our message and sent the following information.  It is good to know what our friends offer their Native communities so we can learn from each other about various Native asset building models and best practices.

   In April, the Sac & Fox Financial Literacy Committee (including their partner, Pinnacle Bank) is providing the following:

   • April 3, 10 & 17 - Evening classes for all enrolled members and descendants for 3 nights teaching “Building Native Communities”. We are providing meal and childcare for those who want to attend plus a $50 gift card if the member completes all 3 sessions.
   • April 22 - Junior/Senior seminar for those enrolled members who are about to receive their Minors Trust fund. We talk about taxes, what triggers a distribution, how to pay less taxes, peer pressure and etc. We have a panel of prior recipients to help with the presentation. We also are giving a $50 gift card to those who attend and school also offers additional math credit if they attend.
      
5. The Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center wrapped up America Saves Week less than a month ago and are planning a Knowledge Is Power Resource Fair that will be held each Friday in May.  The Resource Fair will target Cherokee Nation employees and they are providing a host of workshops each Friday throughout the day.  Some examples of workshops that related to financial education are:
   • Accessing Your Credit Report (will be held in a computer lab and an instructor will walk participants through utilizing www.annualcreditreport.com; after accessing the report, staff will be on standby to go over each individual’s credit report in depth)
   • Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University orientation
   • Pay Day Lending Dangers
   • Eat Better Spend Less (a workshop hosted by the Small Business Assistance Center and the Food Distribution Program
   • Negotiating with Creditors
   • Energy Conservation (joint workshop hosted by the Small Business Assistance Center and the Cherokee Nation Environmental Office
   • Understanding Your Credit Score
      
6. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering their Emerging Leaders Program in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  The classes begin in April 2013. 

   The seven-month executive leader curriculum includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant and provides the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities. Classes focusing on Native American Small Businesses will be held in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.”  You do not have to be a recipient of SBA to be eligible.  This program will assist Native small business owners in running their business.  There is no cost for the program-it is paid for by the SBA. 

   The SBA recommends that anyone who is interested in the program make a telephone contact (before completing paper or online application) with:  Tim Jeffcoat at 405-609-8020 or Cindi Carter at 405-609-8018.  They would be able to explain the program and answer questions.

   • Below is a press release about the program.

     Release Date: February 21, 2013	Contact:	Larry Weatherford, 405/609-8012
     		Larry.Weatherford@SBA.gov
     SBA Emerging Leaders Class Builds Success for Native American Business Developing a plan for growth and creating the professional networks that lead to business success are two of the outcomes created by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Emerging Leaders class according to graduates of the training program. James Ryals, President of Arnold Electric, credits the Tulsa Emerging Leaders program with helping develop his business by encouraging him to focus on things his company was doing but maybe wasn’t tracking or lacked procedures for. It also provided important contacts with the Corps of Engineers that later resulted in Arnold Electric bidding on and securing an important contract at Tinker AFB. “It showed us how we were progressing rather than waiting until the end of the year to see if we made money,” Ryals said. “It focused more on running my business than simply working. It gave us the networking contacts and confidence to grow our business.” The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched its 2013 Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative, formerly known as e200, in 27 cities and communities across the country. Since 2008 the initiative has trained more than 1,300 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and continues to expand its impact helping small businesses grow and create jobs. Mark Masters, President of Chloeta Fire, LLC., points to the Oklahoma City Emerging Leaders program as a turning point in his efforts to turn a good idea into a good business. “I knew a lot about wild land firefighting but I was not a business person by any means,” Masters said. “I look at the e200 program as the launching point for us. If it had not been for the e200 program then I’m certain we would not have achieved the level of success that we have had.” Masters was named U.S. Small Business Administration National Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012. “Oklahoma is fortunate to have two locations offering the Emerging Leaders Program,” said Dottie Overal, Oklahoma SBA District Director. “This is a great opportunity for our Native American small businesses to create a plan for growth that will propel them to the next level of success.” The seven-month executive leader curriculum includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant and provides the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities. Local recruitment for the 2013 training cycle started February 1 through SBA district offices, and classes are scheduled to begin in April. Classes focusing on Native American Small Businesses will be held in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Small business owner interested in joining the 2013 class should contact Cindi Carter at the SBA, 405/609-8018. We appreciate the feedback you sent us. If others have information they want shared about their financial education activities during National Financial Literacy Month, you are welcome to send them to Christy Finsel at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org. Thank you!

7. A Native American Business Network (ONABEN) is working with Cherokee Nation Businesses to provide an Indianpreneurship® “Train the Trainer” session Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa.   To reserve a space at the training, contact Veronica Hix at 918-431-4630 or Veronica@ONABEN.org.  Registration is $550.00, which includes a student and teacher’s edition text, and is due by April 21, 2013.    If you need a discount, contact Heather Rademacher Taylor at heather@onaben.org.

8. Northeast Oklahoma Community Action Agency (NEOCAA), PO Box 603, Jay, OK 74346, is offering “Indianpreneurship,” a class designed to help those wanting to start their own businesses beginning on April 17 at 7:00pm at the Ottawa Tribe Longhouse near Miami, OK.  The class will meet for 6 sessions (2 to 3 hours in length).  There is no charge for the class.  Please call the Ottawa Tribe at 918-540-1536 for directions to the Longhouse.  For further information about the class, contact Julia Teska, Job Development Specialist, NEOCAA, at 918-25304683, ext 157. 

   We appreciate the feedback you sent us.  If others have information they want shared about their financial education activities during National Financial Literacy Month, you are welcome to send them to Christy Finsel at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org.  Thank you!