The Credit Professional Fall 2015 | Page 13

continued from page 12 providing services to meet the needs of Kansas households. by IHS and has been applied to the practices of both of these new programs. This includes the six core areas of competency—skills training; operational knowledge; code of ethics and conduct; and performance standards. The financial coach and the homeownership counselor have each received training and certification in their respective areas through NeighborWorks America®. It has been said “knowledge is power”. We believe there is a step missing in this statement—ACTION! Education alone is not going to bridge the gap between information and implementation. Individuals and families in our communities need clear direction and positive support along with accurate information in order to overcome barriers and hardships and to achieve financial goals, whether big or small. IHS is passionate about facilitating success through active programs and is October 2015 Alicia Marsh received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Additional information contact: MidAmerica Nazarene University [email protected] or where she graduated Summa Cum [email protected] Laude. She has been working for Interfaith Housing Services, Inc. (IHS), in Hutchinson, Kansas, since About the authors: November of 2013 and took on the role of Homeownership Lacy Stauffacher received Coordinator in January of 2015. her bachelor’s degree in Communication Science Disorders Since assuming this position, she has completed the NeighborWorks from Wichita State University. Center for Homeownership She began working for Interfaith Education and Counseling Housing Services, Inc. (IHS), in (NCHEC) training for credit November of 2013 and took on counseling and full certification for the role of Financial Capability homeownership counseling, Coordinator in March of 2015. Prior to this position, she served as including pre-purchase and basic foreclosure training. She takes the Take Control Coordinator for pride in providing guidance and IHS and facilitated financial personalized support in all her wellness classes throughout the counseling activities and feels Hutchinson area. She has honored to serve her community completed the NeighborWorks in this capacity. Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling Alicia and her husband enjoy living (NCHEC) full certification for and working in Hutchinson. They financial capability, including stay active with their church financial education, financial community, their friends and coaching, and financial family, and their 5-year-old skill-building training. She finds satisfaction in delivering accurate puppy—Dakar. information, assisting individuals and families to achieve financial Lacy and Alica are new members goals, and providing positive of CPI. They joined in July 2015. one-on-one support. Lacy and her husband live in Hutchinson with their 3-year-old son. She is dedicated to serving her community and enjoys her involvement as an ambassador for the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and as a volunteer for Communities That Care. 13 The Credit Professional