WATERVILLE — Kennebec Valley Community Action Program will offer two new courses this year aimed at empowering people to reach their financial goals, according to a KVCAP news release.

Common Cents, a live course provided in partnership with Mid Maine Regional Adult Education, and Mainely Money, a web-based version, combine classes and one-on-one coaching to help define goals and identify the steps needed to see them realized.

Staff in KVCAP’s Homeownership Services division have been working with financial capability education and coaching with existing clients and partner organizations for more than 18 months. “We’re finally ready to share our techniques with a larger audience,” said Casey Bromberg, Homeownership Services Manager, in the release. “In the past, we’ve focused more on providing information through our classes and assisting clients with very specific activities, like buying or retaining a home. This program puts the person with the goal in the driver’s seat, and looks at the whole financial picture — today and tomorrow.”

To launch the program, a free webinar, “Planning to achieve your 2015 financial goals,” will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. This education-only session is geared towards people hoping to start the year with better financial habits. Registration is available at www.planetreg.com/kvcap.

The more intense live and web-based programs will begin in mid January and February, respectively. Participants in these fee-based programs complete four interactive classes, then work with a coach individually to analyze budgets and credit, and identify the specific steps and resources required to meet their goals.

Coaches in KVCAP’s program have been certified by the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling. KVCAP is a chartered member of NeighborWorks America and has partnered with other affiliates in Maine to design the Mainely Money program to address local cost-of-living issues. Since Mainely Money is offered via web conferencing, the program is available to any Maine resident.

In addition to these programs, KVCAP Homeownership Services also offers first-time Home Buyer Education as part of the Maine HoMEworks network. These 10-hour courses help demystify the home buying process, and meet certain lending program requirements for closing on a mortgage loan. Dates and registration information for these courses is also located at www.planetreg.com/kvcap.

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