Building Stronger Financial Futures: Oregon’s Growing Network of Trained Financial Coaches
This spring in Medford, twenty IDA Provider staff members completed Neighborhood Partnerships’ Financial Coaching for Prosperity Training Series, bringing our statewide total to 53 trained financial coaches. This milestone reflects our systematic approach to strengthening Oregon’s IDA Initiative, which has served over 19,000 households across 25 years.
Strategic Capacity Building
As part of a three-year plan, we’ve been strengthening the network that helps over 3,000 Oregon families build assets through Individual Development Accounts. Participant feedback shows that quality support makes the difference in their journey toward financial stability. This May’s training in Medford marked our second cohort, with staff from nine organizations learning new approaches and practicing financial coaching strategies.
The geographic reach is significant. As Donna Lindsey from Klamath Housing Authority recently noted, “Access to resources can be extremely limited in rural Oregon, but the IDA program is a game-changer.” Our training ensures consistent, high-quality support whether families are in urban centers or rural tribal communities.
Partnership in Action
This training exemplifies the coalition-building approach that makes Oregon’s IDA Initiative successful. Expert trainers Devin Stubblefield, a certified financial wellness coach and former banker who leads training programs for social service and government agencies nationwide, and Kamilla Johnson brought deep expertise. The Housing Authority of Jackson County provided the learning environment for participants from southern Oregon.
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals’ investment in this capacity-building initiative demonstrates shared commitment to strengthening financial well-being statewide. This strategic funding allows us to invest in systemic improvements that benefit entire communities.
Building Forward
Each newly trained financial coach returns to their organization with enhanced skills and connections to our statewide network. They bring fresh perspectives on supporting families through financial challenges and deeper understanding of how to make IDAs work effectively for diverse communities.
The 53 trained coaches can now better help IDA participants make informed decisions about homeownership, education, entrepreneurship, and other asset-building goals. This creates lasting impact, advancing our vision of an Oregon where opportunity and prosperity are accessible to all.
As we plan our third training cohort for 2026, we’re building a stronger foundation for financial prosperity across Oregon.
Stay tuned for details about our 2026 cohort.