The Georgia Consumer Financial Education Project is a statewide initiative to educate and empower Georgia consumers to successfully manage basic retail bank accounts. Through a series of free "train-the-trainer" workshops across the state, Georgia Watch will provide participants with the tools and resources they need to educate vulnerable, under-banked populations in their communities. By working with partners across the state, we aim to reach thousands of Georgia consumers with information on how to maintain a bank account, manage personal finances, and avoid costly overdraft fees.
Do you work or volunteer for a nonprofit, social service agency, library, faith-based group, or community organization? Might your clients, patrons or community members benefit from learning this curriculum? Please consider joining this initiative to receive training on how to help your community members gain financial literacy and personal finance skills.
Interested individuals are invited to attend free financial literacy "train-the-trainer" workshops in May and June of 2017. Please visit our
Consumer Financial Education Program page
here for more information about how to register.
Managing Your Medical Bills and Debt
Recognizing the urgent need for consumer information about how to manage medical expenses, Georgia Watch has hosted in-person workshops and webinars throughout February, March, and April to educate consumers and advocates. The workshops and webinars accompany the recently released Georgia Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt. We have educated around 150 consumers and advocates so far, including staff at Good Samaritan Health Center, Emory University Hospital, Centers for Disease Control, and Atlanta Legal Aid, among others.
These webinars and in-person workshops provide consumers and advocates with answers to common and complex healthcare and health insurance questions. Topics include (but are not limited to) the following:
Insurance coverage and appeals
Explanation of benefits statements (EOBs)
Bill payment options
Consumer rights in debtcollection
If you have any questions about the upcoming webinars and workshops, or would like to obtain hard copies of the guide, please contact Berneta L. Haynes (
bhaynes@georgiawatch.org). Stay tuned for information about the next webinar!
Energy Equity Forum in Camilla - Save the Date!
Georgia Watch is excited to announce the upcoming Energy Equity Forum in Camilla, Georgia! Presented by the Just Energy Circle, the forum on
October 7, 2017 will bring together community members, policymakers, utility representatives, and advocates to discuss access to energy in Southwest Georgia. The forum will provide Southwest Georgians with an opportunity to speak with their local energy providers and learn how to save money on their energy bills.
Download the flyer
here. Mark your calendars and spread the word!
