NEW YORK, NY – April 8, 2015 – In conjunction with National Financial Literacy Month, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation today announced significant results from the pilot period of its financial literacy program, the Financial Game Plan. In less than six months, the program is already making a profound impact on the financial well-being of New York/New Jersey families tackling childhood cancer. Launched in the New York/New Jersey area in October 2014 after several successful years in Jacksonville, Florida, the Financial Game Plan has already helped numerous families navigate their way through financial challenges that have come about due to a child’s cancer diagnosis.
Overseen by the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund’s New York/New Jersey Financial Coach, Robert D. VanLangen, CPA, the program is designed to provide financial education and financial literacy resources to the families the foundation serves in New York/New Jersey to foster self-responsibility in the long term and help with crisis management in the short term. Over the course of more than 130 personal interactions, VanLangen has grown to become a trusted source through private and personalized consultations involving financial assessment, education and planning options.
With tax season now in full swing, VanLangen has also shared “Tax Time 101” ideas that can dramatically benefit a family. In one particularly noteworthy case, the Financial Game Plan helped a New York/New Jersey area family overcome bankruptcy and achieve financial stability.
“For families in crisis and in the recovery stage, our Financial Game Plan provides a road map to help them navigate through both predictable daily household expenses and unforeseen financial issues,” said VanLangen. “In the process of working with these families during the pilot program, we’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact it’s making on their lives and how the right financial guidance can provide a tremendous amount of emotional support and comfort. We look forward to working with even more families in the coming months and beyond.”
Additional details of the Financial Game Plan include:
- Jay’s Financial Playbook – A backpack filled with materials for hospital trips including an organizer to help families keep track of medical appointments, important contact information and medical expenses.
- Financial Seminars – Led by VanLangen, the seminar Managing the Financial Challenges of Childhood Cancer, provides families with information, insight and support to manage their finances while battling pediatric cancer and provides an opportunity for other families to meet and support each other.
- Individual Coaching – Families in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area have the opportunity to meet VanLangen one-on-one to discuss specific financial concerns and provide solutions. These ongoing, personalized sessions provide helpful counsel to families and allow them to develop and implement a budget.
“The stress of a sick child, compounded by increased financial strain, is a situation we unfortunately see on a far too regular basis,” said Keli Coughlin, Executive Director of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. “Through the Financial Game Plan and thanks to Bob’s vast expertise, we’re able to provide much needed assistance and resources to New York/New Jersey metropolitan area families dealing with financial issues that have implications in both the short and long-term. We’re extremely pleased to announce the pilot program’s success during National Financial Literacy Month and look forward to the growth of this program and its impact in the coming months.”
For more detailed information on all of the programs and organizations listed above, please visit www.tcjayfund.org. The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund can be found on all social media outlets by searching @tcjayfund.