IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [X] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Greater Bridgeport Family Economic Security Coalition
Coalition Website: N/A
Key Coalition City/State: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Ellen Carter, Connecticut Association for Human Services
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: ecarter@cahs.org 860-951-2212 ext 230
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: May 2003 - Bridgeport, Stratford and Norwalk
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Promote the Earned Income Tax Credit as well as financial education and asset building with
h emphasis on the Connecticut Money School and the budget coaching offered
h Tax Preparation Strategy: Operates 14 sites all sites are advertised on one flyer
Asset-Building Strategy: Coalition is working to promote the Connecticut Money School which offers free courses on
financial education and asset-building. Coalition operates a Financial Resource Center which offers a year-round
center to put VITA clients together with opportunities such as budget coaching, classes, IDA programs or other financial
h education and asset building activities.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete.
Core Planning Group
Bridgeport Islamic Community Center
Burroughs Community Center
Career Resources
Casey Family Services
City of Bridgeport Social Services
Connecticut Association for Human Services
Fairfield University
FSW
Mount Aery Development Corporation
NEON
Norwalk Community College
Ralphola Taylor YMCA
Stratford South End Community Center
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
Other Coalition Members
Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust
Housatonic Community College
Wells Fargo
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
2011 is the seventh year of operation - volunteers prepared/e-filed more than 2,975 returns.
1,025 returns claimed EIC
Completed 2nd year of offering Budget & Life Coaching
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Continue with their Financial Education & Asset Building activities. Working with Fairfield University to develop an
online program to allow clients to make appointments.
Some potential uses is to have the Form 13614-C available so the client can pre-fill it out before the appointment
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ X ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Greater Danbury Tax Assistance Coalition
Coalition Website: N/A
Key Coalition City/State: Danbury, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Nera Clemente, Connecticut Association for Human Services
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: nclemente@cahs.org
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: September 2008 - Danbury, CT
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Primarily to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) but to also provide tax assistance and
h financial education.
Tax Preparation Strategy: Incorporate VITA sites and collaborate for marketing of the VITA programs in the area of Danbury
that have the most need. Danbury-VITA, Inc. is part of the OPI Interpreter services program. CACD is providing tax
h preparation and other benefit services to military veterans in the Danbury area.
Asset-Building Strategy: One of the sites currently has IDA clients and provides monthly Financial Education classes.
CACD will be providing the other coalition sites with the calendar of events to ensure everyone has knowledge of activities
h and invite more VITA clients. Flyers will be created to be placed at all locations.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
Community Action Committee Danbury
Connecticut Association of Human Services
Danbury VITA, Inc.
IRS-Hartford
WestConn. VITA
Other Coalition Members
United Way of Western Connecticut
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
This coalition collaboratively prepared 1084 accepted returns (38% increase over last year)
EITC Awareness Day & Press Conference: Attended by Danbury Mayor, Mark D. Boughton;
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Community Action Committee of Danbury: Military certification to serve our Military Veterans in the Danbury Area & is in the
process of services in Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin provided.
Language applying to be a CAA-ITIN Agent.
Danbury VITA, Inc. will be providing services in budget coaching, credit score/repair education.
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ X] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Hartford Asset Building Collaborative
Coalition Website:
Key Coalition City/State: Hartford, CT
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Lucille Sclafani Co-opportunity, Inc.
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: LucilleS@Co-opportunity.org (860) 236-3617 x110
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: 2004
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Various approaches based on individual communities being served from door hanging to radio
h spots and flyers.
h Tax Preparation Strategy: Increased number of hours at each site.
Asset-Building Strategy: An increased emphasis on educational approach from volunteers that are from the various
schools of Social Work. The Coalition provides sessions on public benefit programs, financial capability and asset
h development opportunities such as IDAs (matched savings accounts) and budget coaching for clients.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
Access Agency
Community Renewal Team
Co-opportunity, Inc
Hartford Public Library
MiCasa
Middlesex VITA Coalition
The Village for Children and Families
Town of Enfield - Social Services
Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative
Urban League of Hartford
Other Coalition Members
Board of Education and Services for the Blind
Capital Community College
Central Connecticut State University
Connecticut Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Department of Social Services
Stafford Public Library
Taxpayer Advocate's Office
United Way of the Capital Region
Windham Area Interfaith Ministries
YMCA of Hartford
YWCA of the Greater Hartford Region
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
Financial Aid Applications prepared.
Debit Cards offered at all sites.
Lead partner is a CAA site.
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Select two Schedule-C pilot sites.
Additional college recruiting from schools of business as well as schools of Social Work
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ X ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: LNV Community Coalition for Financial $ecurity
Coalition Website: N/A
Key Coalition City/State: Lower Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Ed Sutherland, TEAM, Inc.
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: esutherland@teaminc.org (203)736-5420
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: July 2010 - Derby,CT
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Primarily to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and to reach an underserved population of
the Lower Naugatuck Valley. The coalition will also provide financial education and asset-building services.
h
Tax Preparation Strategy: Incorporated existing VITA site (Plumb Library) and newly formed VITA site at Derby Neck
h Library and create additional VITA sites within the 10 Town area of the Lower Valley area and promote EITC.
Asset-Building Strategy: Team, Inc. already provides one-on-one budget coaching, IDA program clients, workshops on
financial literacy topics. With the coalition concept, they would like to expand their services and assist additional clients with
h asset building and financial education.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
Derby Neck Library Association
Naugatuck Savings Bank
Plumb Memorial Library
Team, Inc.
Valley United Way
Other Coalition Members
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
During the 2011 filing season, coalition volunteers prepared 607 tax returns
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Increase VITA sites in the area as part of the coalition.
Consider having Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) the managing agency for the coalition.
Provide financial education and asset building courses to interested clients-referrals from the coalition VITA sites.
Create new VITA site at the Huntington Library in Shelton, Connecticut.
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ X ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: New Britain Asset Building Coalition
Coalition Website: www.hranbct.org
Key Coalition City/State: New Britain, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Marlo Greponne - HRA New Britain
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: mgreponne@hranbct.org Phone # (860) 225-8601
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: 2004 - New Britain, CT
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: EITC Outreach is conducted during the Summer/Fall of each year in preparation for the following
season. Thousands of flyers, pamphlets, and postcards were distributed to advertise the services and attract volunteers.
h United Way offers support with marketing through local radio, television and newspapers during tax season.
Tax Preparation Strategy: Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. (HRA) has led the New Britain Asset Building
Coalition and has successfully operated the VITA Program in New Britain since 2004, consistently increasing the accessibility
and quality of the services. Over the years we have filed a total of 10,192 federal returns resulting in a total of $15,364,558 in
Federal refund dollars alone. Over 37% ($5,832,499) of these federal dollars have been from Earned Income Credit claimed
over the eight year period (see comparison of years below). This is in keeping with the goal of the NB Asset Building Coalition
to expand EITC Outreach and education, increasing the number of families claiming the Earned Income Credit.
h
Asset-Building Strategy: HRA’s Foundations for Financial Independence Program (FFI) connects volunteer income tax
preparation (VITA), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach and education services to on-site curriculum-based financial
literacy education, budget and credit counseling, and asset development opportunities including a local IDA Program. The FFI
program connects people with a variety of services, making a seamless transition from increasing income through claiming
benefits, to increasing money management skills, to building assets. HRA’s network of free tax preparation sites serve over
h 2,000 people per tax season.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
American Savings Foundation
Central Connecticut State University
Community Mental Health Affiliates
E.C. Goodwin Technical High School
Farmington Bank
Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.- lead
New Britain High School
Southington Community Services
United Way
Other Coalition Members
Capital Workforce Partners
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Community Volunteers
Neighborhood Housing Services
New Britain Housing Authority
Slade Middle School
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
12 Coalition VITA LOCATIONS
63 Certified Tax Preparers
Number of Accepted EFILE Returns - 2,007
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [X] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: New Haven Economic Security Council
Key Coalition City/State: New Haven, Connecticut
Coalition Website: N/A
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Brian M. Roccapriore, STRIVE New Haven
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: strivenh@sbcglobal.net 203-777-1720
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: September 2002 - New Haven area
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: To advertise EITC through community organizations.
Tax Preparation Strategy: Operated five sites throughout New Haven.
Asset-Building Strategy: Due to financial constraints at this time, group referred clients to other organizations for
financial education and asset building.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete.
Core Planning Group
IRS-SPEC
JUNTA
New Haven Public Library
SAGA Support Services
SAMA
STRIVE New Haven
Yale University- Dixwell-Yale Community Learning Center
Other Coalition Members
Office of the Mayor
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
Operated 5 sites during 2011- e-filed 714 returns this year, of which 231 claimed EITC.
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Continue to explore more asset-building efforts.
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ X ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Coalition for Working Families
Key Coalition City/State: New Haven, Connecticut
Coalition Website: www.newlifecorp.org
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Ariel Martinez, New Life Corp
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: arielm@newlifecorp.org (203) 777-0313
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: October 2003 - New Haven area
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: To advertise VITA through community organizations with a focus on the religious and Latino
h communities.
Tax Preparation Strategy: Continue to have a presence in the same neighborhoods. The group has now had success
with having sites at schools. This past year 4 of the 6 sites were located at 3 public schools and one community college.
h
Asset-Building Strategy: Combine the VITA program with other activities such as job development. Will focus on
interested individuals who express an interest in bank accounts and try to place them with a bank. Host the Connecticut
h Money School for New Haven and actively get their clients to enroll in these free classes
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete.
Core Planning Group
New Life Corp
IRS
Other Coalition Members
Bank of America
City of New Haven Board of Education
City of West Haven Community Development Administration
Gateway Community College
New Alliance Foundation
State of CT Department of Social Services
The Annie E Casey Foundation
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
United Illuminating
United Way of Greater New Haven
West Haven Community House
Yale New Haven Hospital
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
During the 2011 filing season, volunteers as six sites prepared and e-filed 2,126 returns with 711 claiming EIC
Offered bilingual service
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Do more financial asset-building, exploring budget, coaching
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [ x ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Manchester EITC Coalition
Coalition Website: None
Key Coalition City/State: Manchester, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Mary Roche-Cronin
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: mary40@ci.manchester.ct.us 860-647-3091
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: November 2007 - Metro-Manchester and surrounding areas
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Annual EITC Awareness Day event with Mayor, and other local dignitaries present. Distributes
h information on VITA through flyers, posters, banners, and newspaper advertising.
Tax Preparation Strategy: VITA is by appointment only. Director of Human Services' assistant takes call, interviews
taxpayers for eligibility and schedules appointment. Customers are also drawn from taxpayers seeking assistance from
other agencies in the coalition. Last filing season the site prepared 147 returns with a reject rate of only 6.8%. The
h quality process is considered very important at this site.
Asset-Building Strategy: VITA volunteers encourage taxpayers to attend financial literacy and budgeting classes.
These classes are provided by the Adult and Family Services Department and include financial literacy, and budget and
h credit counseling to help families build assets to improve family life.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
Early Childhood Services
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Manchester Health Department
Manchester Human Services Department
Nutmeg Credit Union
Senior Adult and Family Services
The Senior Center
Youth Service Bureau
Other Coalition Members
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
Promote the health and well-being of Manchester residents.
Advocates for the disabled and low income by providing assistance with housing, health care and job training.
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
Open another site in the northern part of town to provide services to taxpayers unable to travel to the current site.
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Existing
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Lower Fairfield Cty. Economic Family Security Coalition
Coalition Website: N/A
Key Coalition City/State: Stamford, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Gloria Beltran, Connecticut Association for Human Services
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: gbeltran@cahs.org (860)951-2212
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: October 2009 - Stamford, CT
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
Outreach Strategy: Primarily to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) but to also provide tax assistance and
h financial education.
Tax Preparation Strategy: Incorporate VITA sites and to collaborate for marketing of the VITA programs in the areas of
h Stamford that have the most need.
Asset-Building Strategy: One of the sites currently has IDA clients and provides monthly Financial Education classes.
CTE will be providing the other coalition sites with the calendar of events to ensure everyone has knowledge of activities and
h invite more VITA clients. Flyers will be created to be placed at all locations.
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
Connecticut Association of Human Services
CTE, Inc. A Community Action Agency for the Greater Stamford Area
Domus, Inc. (Trailblazer Academy Stamford)
IRS-Hartford
Yerwood Center VITA
Other Coalition Members
Stamford Partnership
United Way of Western Connecticut
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
2009 was the first year for this coalition but VITA sites have been in existence for several years.
For the 2011 filing season, volunteers prepared prepared 359 accepted returns.
The Norwalk VITA sites were realigned with the Bridgeport coalition.
opened a Financial Development Stamford for facility to enhance Financial Education & entrepreneurship in the
CTE has successfully partnered with GE in and Wellnessvolunteer recruitment.
community
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)
IRS-SPEC Partner Coalition FY-11
Please Check One: Existing [X ] Emerging [ ]
TERRITORY NAME: Hartford
FORMAL NAME OF COALITION: Greater Waterbury Economic Security Coalition
Coalition Website: N/A
Key Coalition City/State: Waterbury, Connecticut
Coalition Chair's Name and Organization: Shannon Houston - Connecticut Association for Human Services
Coalition Chair's e-mail address/Phone #: Shouston@CAHS.org (860) 951-2212
Date Coalition Started and Geographical Area Covered: Fall 2007 - Waterbury, CT
Strategies - briefly define each strategy, if applicable
h Outreach Strategy: Sites share their operating hours and locations with each other to meet the demand
Tax Preparation Strategy: Complete training and recruiting earlier so as to be able to open earlier in the season to
h complete more tax returns.
h Asset-Building Strategy: Better use of the Connecticut Money school
Partners: (List Core Planning Group, then Sub-Committee Members, then others if applicable)
Add or delete rows by right-clicking on line number below where row is needed, then Insert or Delete..
Core Planning Group
Chase Family Resource Center (Chase Elementary School)
Connecticut Association for Human Services
Family Resources of Waterbury
Hispanic Coalition
Naugatuck Senior Center
New Opportunities Waterbury
Staywell Health
Other Coalition Members
Significant Coalition Activities: (List major items only, using bulleted style)
Connecticut Money School for Asset Building
Planned Future Activities: ( Summarize major plans, using bulleted style)