Building financial confidence with bttr. money

Why financial confidence matters

Money can create stress, confusion, and risk for many adults with disabilities. Traditional systems often assume families will handle everything, or they teach money skills in ways that are not realistic for daily life.

Financial confidence is not about knowing every rule. It is about:

• Feeling safe using money without fear or embarrassment
• Understanding how to make basic financial decisions
• Knowing where your money is going each month
• Building habits that support long term independence
• Learning how to avoid scams, mistakes, and unsafe situations

When adults receive the right coaching, money becomes a tool for freedom, not stress.

What bttr. money is

bttr. money is one of our core skill tracks designed to build real life financial confidence. It is not financial advising or investment planning. It is hands on coaching focused on:

• Understanding income and benefits
• Managing spending safely
• Building simple budgets that actually work
• Practicing money tasks in real settings
• Creating long term habits that reduce stress

Coaching is done one to one through ILS, through enhanced independent living support in Self Determination, or through a blend of different services depending on your plan.

Money coaching through regional center

Many adults receive money coaching through regional center ILS authorizations. In this model, money goals are written into the Individual Program Plan under the ILS section.

Regional center funded money coaching usually includes:

• Hourly ILS sessions focused on budgeting, banking, and safe spending
• Building routines around bills, reminders, and monthly expenses
• Learning how to track purchases and avoid unsafe situations
• Coaching in real community settings such as banks, stores, and transit

bttr handles the coaching, reporting, staffing, and documentation. The regional center handles hours and outcomes.

Money coaching through Self Determination Program

Financial confidence can also be fully supported in individual budgets through the Self Determination Program. Money coaching becomes part of the spending plan just like ILS, tech coaching, or community based supports.

In SDP, coaching is more customizable. Participants may choose:

• More frequent short sessions around money habits
• Specialized coaching related to online banking, passwords, or safety
• Blended coaching that uses bttr. tech and bttr. money together
• Support around benefits, communication with financial institutions, or SSI budgeting

Everything must match your Individual Program Plan outcomes and budget rules, but the structure and coaching style are fully personalized.

Core MONEY skills at bttr

bttr. money covers a wide range of real life money skills. Coaching is hands on, respectful, and adjusted to your learning style and pace.

• Understanding income. Paychecks, SSI/SSP, IHSS, and benefits interactions
• Creating a simple budget. Weekly and monthly plans that match real spending
• Banking basics. Balances, direct deposit, reading statements
• Using a debit card safely. PIN safety, tracking purchases, ATM basics
• Bill reminders. Setting alerts, using calendars, avoiding late fees
• Online safety. Scams, impersonation, fraud, and password practices
• Savings habits. Planning small goals and building confidence slowly
• Transportation and spending. Bus fare, ride apps, ordering food, small purchases

Weekly coaching structure

Money confidence grows when support is consistent. Coaching focuses on repetition, real world practice, and accountability.

A typical week with bttr. money may include:

• Reviewing the past week’s spending and receipts
• Practicing real banking tasks with support
• Updating a simple budget template
• Using visual tools or apps to track purchases
• Planning for upcoming expenses like birthdays or outings

Financial safety and boundaries

Safety is a major part of bttr. money. Many adults have experienced scams, pressure from others, online risks, or confusion around money expectations with family or staff.

Nos centramos en:

• Recognizing unsafe situations
• Knowing what information is private
• Understanding how to say “no” respectfully
• Creating safe habits online and in the community
• Developing clear boundaries around lending and giving

Examples of MONEY goals at bttr

How to start with bttr. money

You can start money coaching through regional center ILS or through the Self Determination Program.

• Talk with your regional center service coordinator about ILS money goals
• If you are in SDP, review your spending plan to add financial coaching hours
• Reach out to bttr to share your goals and schedule needs
• We help you match coaching to your Individual Program Plan or SDP budget

Once coaching begins, we move step by step—with patience, repetition, and tools designed for real life progress.

Preguntas frecuentes

Can money coaching replace a payee or conservator

No. Money coaching builds skills but does not replace legal or formal responsibilities. We can coordinate with payees or family if the participant agrees.

How many hours of coaching do people receive

It depends on the regional center authorization or your Self Determination budget. Many participants receive weekly coaching. Others receive more support during transitions or big life changes.

Can money coaching help with online safety

Yes. Online financial safety is a major part of bttr. money, including passwords, scams, and account protection.

Does coaching include physical handling of money

No. Coaches do not handle cash or cards. We teach, guide, and observe, but participants remain in full control of their money.

Can money goals be combined with other bttr skill tracks

Absolutely. bttr. money often overlaps with bttr. tech, bttr. life, and bttr. connect for complete independence support.