Community Reinvestment Programs
Investing in Financial Futures in Snohomish County
Program Overview
The Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) is a statewide effort designed to strengthen the workforce and economic development across Washington. Local workforce boards are working to implement key components of this project, including direct financial support to participants, support to help businesses grow and thrive, and Matched Investment Savings Accounts (MISAs) that help individuals build financial security. These efforts are designed to create meaningful pathways to economic stability and self-sufficiency for those most in need. The program has a specific emphasis on serving EcSA participants from the Governor’s WIOA priority populations and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, with particular focus on Black, Tribal, Latine, Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Washingtonians.
December 2023-June 2025
12% increase in job seekers served from Black, Latine, and Tribal communities over a 1-year period.
Programs under the CRP umbrella
- Matched Investment Savings Accounts (MISAs) aim to support participants' future asset-building or investment goals. The MISA Program is currently fully enrolled.
- MISAs are custodial accounts, managed by Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) and/or their subrecipients, to provide a 1:1 match for participants' savings, with a maximum of $10,000 in matched funds to enhance financial self-sufficiency. Participants can make withdrawals for approved purposes once they meet personal finance education and coaching requirements and adhere to their Savings Plan Agreement. Emergency withdrawals are permitted under specific circumstances after other support options have been explored. Each participant must collaboratively create a Savings Plan Agreement to guide their involvement in the MISA program with their case manager and complete the required financial coaching before they are eligible for non-emergency withdrawals. Participants can make a withdrawal for the purchase of a qualified asset or investment. Emergency withdrawals are permissible only after all other support options, including State EcSA and WIOA resources, have been fully explored.
- Participants with MISAs prior to July 1, 2025 : All participants who opened a MISA custodial account and made at least one deposit prior to July 1, 2025, may, at LWDB discretion, be maintained under previous program terms of a 2:1 match rate up to $30,000 in savings ($10,000 in individual contribution and $20,000 in matched contributions). Participants must comply with all other terms of the revised program and may not increase the amount of their original savings plan.
- The Career Accelerator Incentive program provides financial support to participate in career development assistance programs. These incentives, in the form of monthly payments of up to $1,000, are designed to help participants achieve economic stability by supporting them in obtaining training, credentials, measurable skills, employment and self-sufficient wages. These incentives are designed to reduce financial barriers and encourage consistent progress toward long-term employment success. The Career Accelerator Incentive program has a specific emphasis on serving EcSA participants from the Governor’s WIOA priority populations and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, with particular focus on Black, Tribal, Latine, Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Washingtonians – populations that face systemic barriers to economic opportunity. By prioritizing these communities, we aim to close equity gaps and expand access to tools that foster financial independence and mobility.
- In 2025, the funds provided by EcSA Business Support are intended primarily to support Community Reinvestment Businesses defined as Black, Tribal, Latine, Asian, Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander-owned or operated businesses and individuals from these communities who are starting a business, with focus on EcSA participants who want to start a business or businesses who employ or plan to hire EcSA participants. While other populations may be served with the funds, LWDBs must make significant efforts to serve these target populations. Areas should be aware that the number of customers served from these target populations is being tracked through regular reports to the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Office of Equity, which expect to see significant growth in the number of people served from Black, Tribal, Latine, Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations, as well as strong demonstration of benefit for EcSA participants.
- In Program Years 2023-2024, Snohomish County invested a number of EcSA Community Reinvestment Program Business Support programs. Snohomish County utilized Business Support funds to invest in EcSA participants with a stated goal to start or scale a business. A total of $225,000 has been invested in nineteen (19) small businesses. We look forward to sharing the impact of these grants on these exciting ventures.
- The PY25/26 EcSA Business Support Program is now closed, due to exhaustion of funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EcSA (Economic Security for All)?
The Economic Security for All (EcSA) program helps people move out of poverty by connecting them to coordinated job training, education, career guidance, and supportive services. By reducing barriers like lack of childcare, transportation, or access to benefits and focusing on long-term career pathways, EcSA supports individuals in building stable, well-paying careers and lasting economic security. (ECSA)
What is a Community Reinvestment Program (CRP)?
The Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) is a community-designed initiative to uplift communities. The goal is to create lasting economic benefits, build wealth and ensure everyone has a fair chance at success. (CRP)
What does EcSA have to do with CRP?
In order to be eligible for CRP, participants must be enrolled in EcSA. The goal of EcSA is to move individuals and families to a unique self-sufficiency income through employment, training or support services. Incentives and the Matched Investment Savings Accounts (MISA) are CRP programs that amplify EcSA’s goal through the purchase of a defined asset or defined debt reduction. (see Workforce Snohomish Policy 2252 for eligible assets or debt reduction activities).
Why do I have 2 case managers?
Your EcSA case manager is your primary point of contact and guide throughout the program. They help you create, monitor, and update your Service Plan/Career Plan, connect you with training resources, and ensure you meet EcSA program requirements. These requirements are tied to steps in your MISA or Incentive plans. It is important you update your EcSA case manager on things you want to achieve in the CRP program.
The CRP case manager focuses on financial empowerment education, making sure the bank account is ready to be opened, reviewing deposits, and working to issue incentive payments. The CRP case managers provide support to participants in the following areas:
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- Case Management & Coaching: Staff assist with budget planning, credit building, and the creation of individualized savings and incentive plans.
- Program Administration: The team facilitates orientations for MISA and the CRP Career Accelerator, ensuring participants understand program requirements.
- Financial Oversight: Staff are responsible for reviewing match savings requests and processing all incentive payments and deposits.
- Asset Acquisition: Once a savings goal is met, staff provide direct support in the final steps of acquiring the identified asset.
What is a Service Plan/Career Plan?
The Service plan/Career plan is a personalized, actionable roadmap that outlines your specific goals for career advancement, education, and housing stability. It includes steps, timelines, and necessary resources tailored to help you achieve full self-sufficiency. With the updated Incentives policy, some specific incentivized activities must be in the Service Plan before completing the incentivized activity. See WFS Policy 2252 for a detailed list of which activities require this.
What is an approved training program?
An approved training program is one that has been vetted by EcSA and qualifies for coverage by EcSA funds. These programs focus on high-demand careers that lead to self-sufficiency wages and may include vocational training, certifications, and post-secondary education. Work with your EcSA Case Manager to identify approved training programs.
Can I use my MISA for my training?
Yes, funds from your Matched Investment Savings Account (MISA) are valid for "Post-Secondary" Training expenses, provided the training aligns with your Service Plan and meets the MISA program guidelines.
Does my training qualify for an incentive payment?
Before submitting a request for an incentive payment associated with a training activity or credential, make sure you coordinate with your EcSA Case Manager to make sure it aligns with your Service Plan. If it is not on your Service Plan, you risk not being able to access incentive payments for that activity.
Who do I ask about...
- Creating or updating your Service Plan?
- Contact your EcSA Case Manager
- Monthly meetings on progress or Service Plan?
- Contact your EcSA Case Manager
- Financial guidance and MISA use?
- Contact your CRP Case Manager
- Career Accelerator Incentives - Planning/identifying incentives?
- Contact the Financial Empowerment staff/CRP Case Manager
- Career Accelerator Incentives - Updating and aligning incentives with your Service Plan/Career Plan?
- Contact your EcSA Case Manager
- General program questions?
- Contact your EcSA Case Manager
Additional Resources
The Department of Revenue of Washington State (DOR) is the state’s primary agency for tax collection and business licensing. For a small business owner, the DOR is the state agency you will likely interact with most frequently. While other agencies help you plan your business, the DOR is where you legally register it and pay the state for the operation of your business:
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a no-cost resource for entrepreneurs in Snohomish County, providing professional business advising, events, and resources.
- Trainings and Workshops (On-demand, live, and in Spanish)
- Start-Up Business Resources
- Connect with a Local Advisor
Business Impact NW is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that focuses on providing financial and technical support to entrepreneurs who traditionally face barriers to accessing capital.
- Courses (On-Demand, live and in Spanish; *Some courses have a cost)
- Business Coaching (Available in Spanish)
Business.wa.gov provides guidance to help simplify the "red tape" of starting and running a small business in Washington. Available in multiple languages.
- Planning your Business
- Workshops and Webinars (Free, pre-recorded, and live)
- Steps for forming a business in Washington
SCORE of Greater Seattle is a free mentorship service providing experienced advice, consulting on best practices, and educating you on small business topics. Available to any aspiring or established U.S.-based business owner.
- Find a Mentor
- Templates and Resources
- Workshops and Events (*some have a cost)
- Online Resources-all
- Library card
- LinkedIn Learning (Access for free with your library card)
- Access to Digital Equipment (printing, copying, scanning, computer access, Chromebook check-out, and wifi hotspots)
- Online Resources-all
- Library card
- LinkedIn Learning (Access for free with your library card)
- Access to Digital Equipment- (printing, copying, scanning, computer access, Chromebook check-out, and wifi hotspots)
Washington Home Ownership Resource Center is a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering current and future homeowners in Washington state.
Homebuyer Classes are free classes, sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and offered frequently across the state.