DeKalb County Promise Expands to Grade 12 to Build Hope

Starting this Fall, DeKalb County Promise is expanding their focus, offering financial incentives for families enrolling children in 529 career savings accounts through grade 12. This means that once families enroll a child, age 4 through grade 12, in a 529 career savings account, the community will make the first deposit of $25. When children raise $25 to match that initial deposit, through family members or champions who believe in them, the community will deposit an additional $75 into their 529 career savings accounts.

According to Melanie Beer, DeKalb County Promise Coordinator at the Community Foundation, “we will be partnering with all DeKalb County schools for on-site enrollment at a variety of back-to-school events that have been identified by each of the schools.” Parents/guardians may also e-mail Promise@CFDeKalb.org to find out when Promise representatives will be present at their child’s school and to receive the bi-monthly DeKalb County Promise newsletter to keep them informed.

“Most Indiana counties focus on grades K-3, but DeKalb County has been working on this much bigger vision. We found that the community, our donors, and our schools were behind supporting all students. We always intended to demonstrate that we believe in every student once we were up and running, and we are ready to expand through grade 12. Think of it like a small scholarship, but for every student in the county who enrolls,” said Matt Bechdol, Board President of the Community Foundation of DeKalb County, the convening organization.

These dollars come from a student account fund for new Promise students, held by Community Foundation DeKalb County as the convener for DeKalb County Promise. Children then have a minimum balance of $125 in their 529 career savings accounts to add to and grow over time. Any gains on these accounts are tax-free to families, and Indiana offers a 20% tax credit for families’ deposits.

The University of Kansas cited three measures of success associated with students who have career savings accounts.

They are 60% more likely to graduate from high school.
Low- and moderate-income youth with an account balance of just $1-499 are three times more likely to attend some post-high school training, and 4 times more likely to graduate.
Of students receiving free- or reduced-price lunch, simply having a Promise Indiana 529 account was related to higher reading and math scores.

Starting at an early age, DeKalb County Promise leaders want to build hope for future careers for every DeKalb County student, and not just for college. There are rewarding careers across manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture and more key industries in Northeast Indiana that do not require a four-year degree, but do require post-high school learning or career training.

The Promise Task Force has been talking about this bigger vision of serving students through grade 12 since the beginning. They want youth in DeKalb County to know that (1) their community is behind them, (2) careers are in their futures, (3) they are firmly in control of accomplishing their dreams, and lastly, (4) their community is helping them prepare and consider the financial realities of any post-high school education or training they might need to get there.

On September 20, Kindergarten to 3rd grade students countywide will again experience a “Walk into My Future,” a field trip to Ivy Tech Fort Wayne. The “Walk” is a very important component of the Promise initiative that gives young elementary students a hands-on introduction to several career fields, at age-appropriate levels, in a post-high school learning environment. View a short video of the 2018 “Walk” @DeKalbCountyPromise.org.

Community members who wish to help may be champions, for their kids, grandkids, neighbor kids, or children and students they don’t even know. Tell them directly, write notes of encouragement, or make financial contributions to their 529 accounts for birthdays and holidays. For more information about DeKalb County Promise, including how a community member or organization can contribute and/or volunteer, call Judy or Melanie at the Community Foundation, 260-925-0311, or e-mail Promise@CFDeKalb.org.