Topeka - Today, Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA, announced the official proclamation by Governor Sebelius
designating April as "Financial Literacy for Youth Month" in Kansas. The proclamation highlights efforts by
Jenkins and organizations like the Kansas Jump$tart Coalition, Kansas Saves and others to increase awareness in
Kansas of the need to teach children about personal finance.
"Financial literacy is critical to the future success of our state and it is one of my top priorities as State Treasurer,"
said Jenkins. "We must give our children the tools that are necessary for them to succeed and maintain financial independence
in life. Our Kansas children will play a critical role in helping to break the cycle of debt and poor financial choices that
will be important for the future success of our state."
Since taking office in January 2003, Treasurer Jenkins has implemented over a dozen different financial literacy programs
geared toward women, seniors, young adults and children. The children's initiatives include: Senate Bill 74, which mandates
that financial literacy programs be taught in K-12 schools, a "Save at School" program that will allow local financial
institution representatives to go into schools to teach basic saving and budgeting skills, a children's finance camp for
middle school aged students at Rock Springs 4-H camp and numerous educational games, homework helpers and other resources
for children that can be found on the Treasurer's KidsZone website at
Kidszone.
Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was elected as the 37th Kansas State Treasurer on November 5, 2002.
A Certified Public Accountant and small business owner, she ran for the office with a pledge to expand Learning Quest, initiate a
financial literacy program for young children and to make the office more accessible and user friendly to all Kansans.
