Budget, Credit, and Financial Counseling - Families and individuals receive a complete budget analysis by a trained counselor. All counseling is completely confidential and will include suggestions for budget expenditure alternatives and discussion of potential sources of additional income for which the client may be eligible.

Debt Management Plan - The Debt Management Program (DMP) is an alternative to personal bankruptcy and a solution for people who are over-extended with debt. Counselors negotiate with clients and creditors to establish and accept an alternative payment plan. Clients pay a certain amount into the deposit account based on their indebtedness. Funds are then disbursed from the account on a fair and equitable basis to all the client's unsecured creditors. As the months pass, problems are eliminated and solvency is restored to the client.

Debt Repayment Plan - The Debt Reduction Program (DRP) is designed to reduce the amount of debt people owe to their unsecured creditors through debt negotiation. Professional negotiators will work with the clients creditors to settle the balances for pennies on the dollar. Money is deposited by the client into a settlement account. The payments are held in that account until settlements are made on each account. One of the terms of the settlement is that the creditor must report to the credit bureaus that the account has been paid in full, thus restoring credit worthiness to the client upon completion of the settlements.

Housing Counseling Programs - As a US department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved counseling agency, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West Florida Inc. assists consumers with problems relating to shelter such as purchasing, owning, renting and selling a home. A counselor provides general and specific advice and assistance to those people experiencing difficulty in making monthly mortgage payments. Housing Counseling includes, but is not limited to: providing consumers with information and assistance regarding available housing programs, relief measures for delinquent and default mortgages such as reinstatement, forbearance agreements, deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, and housing assignments. Affordable Housing programs are provided to assist consumers with acquiring and maintaining a home.

Credit Recovery Program - This program is designed for CCCS D.M.P. clients to re-establish credit, if they so choose. This program also provides an opportunity to obtain a mortgage loan.

Education Programs - Community education programs, workshops, seminars, employee assistance programs and group presentations are conducted on a variety of topics including, but not limited to: budgeting, consumer spending, credit and money management.

CCCS is dedicated to helping families and individuals getting back on track financially. We offer budgeting, financial, and housing counseling. We also provide educational seminars to the public on home buying and credit issues. Our counseling services can be accessed over the internet, by phone, or in-person. The following services are provided.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

CCCS is committed to providing quality educational programs and materials to consumers. Listed below are the courses and materials that make up the Financial Literacy Program.

Money Smart Education Series - Ten courses available to groups at no charge. Courses can be taken individually or as a series. Certificates are issued upon completion of each course. Each course is two hours in duration. The program consists of the following sessions:

Bank on It
Borrowing Basics
Check it Out
Money Matters
Pay Yourself First
Keep It Safe
To Your Credit
Charge It Right
Loan to Own
Your Own Home

Understanding Credit Reports - Shows consumers how to read a credit report, how it affects purchasing power, and how to resolve inaccuracies. Certificates are issued upon completion. Class duration ranges from half-an-hour to two-hours.

Pre-Purchase Home Buyers Education - CCCS is Certified by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to provide comprehensive housing counseling services. These courses are an integral part of CCCS's housing and education services. The duration of the course is six to eight hours. Certificates for First Time Home Buyer's programs are issued upon completion of this free course.

Dimes to Dollars - A coloring book designed by the agency for pre-k and elementary school students. This fun and educational booklet acquaints children with money matters and contains math skill exercises.