Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg Launches SmartFinance Academy: Financial Fitness Powered by OCTO with First Webinar on July 15

• The SmartFinance Academy will officially launch with its first Zoom webinar, "The Power of Budgeting: A Blueprint for Financial Success During Inflation and Financial Uncertainty," on July 15, 2025. All sessions are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.
• The former Financial Fitness program, previously operated by Oakland County Michigan Works!, will transition to the Oakland County Treasurer's Office and be rebranded as SmartFinance Academy, effective July 1, 2025.
• The expanded financial education initiative, SmartFinance Academy, offers five core learning pillars designed to meet the diverse needs of Oakland County residents, families, older adults, veterans and business owners.

Pontiac, Mich., July 10, 2025 - Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg announces the launch of SmartFinance Academy: Financial Fitness Powered by OCTO, a dynamic new chapter in countywide financial empowerment education. Formerly known as the Financial Fitness program under Oakland County Michigan Works!, the initiative is now located within the Oakland County Treasurer's Office Financial Empowerment Center, effective July 1, 2025. The first webinar, titled "The Power of Budgeting: A Blueprint for Financial Success During Inflation and Financial Uncertainty," will take place on July 15, 2025.

The SmartFinance Academy offers a broader and more inclusive approach to financial education to serve Oakland County residents, families, older adults, veterans, and business owners. It promotes financial empowerment and economic inclusion and delivers free resources, tools and webinars that support every stage of life-from debt reduction and homeownership to small business growth and taxpayer confidence.

"Financial empowerment begins with access to knowledge and real-world tools," said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg. "The SmartFinance Academy builds on a strong Michigan Works! legacy and will deliver practical, relevant financial education. We appreciate Michigan Works! for their exceptional success, and look forward to their continued partnership."

Over the past eight years, Oakland County residents have gained valuable skills in budgeting, credit management, and long-term financial planning through Oakland County Michigan Works! Financial Fitness workshops.

"We are very excited that our Financial Fitness program is transitioning to the Oakland County Treasurer's Office, under the leadership of Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg," said Oakland County Michigan Works! Director Jennifer Llewellyn. "The program will continue to grow in scope, reach, and size, leveraging the expertise and partnerships of the Treasurer's Office. As a partner, Oakland County Michigan Works! will continue to promote the workshops to our job seekers."

The SmartFinance Academy content is organized around five core learning pillars:

• Financial Wellness Foundation: Debt Reduction, Credit Building and Crisis-Proof Finances
• Lifelong Financial Wellness: Empowered Financial Decision-Making
• Homeownership and Housing: Taxpayer Confidence
• Small Business Resilience and Growth: Self-Employed Success
• Smart Money for Veterans, Seniors, Parents and Families

The SmartFinance Academy's first workshop will take place on July 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. to address budgeting during inflation and economic uncertainty. The workshop is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

To register or learn more, visit oakgov.com/smartfinance.

SmartFinance Academy is one of several initiatives led by the Oakland County Treasurer's Office. Its goal is to enhance financial literacy, reduce property tax foreclosures, and foster economic opportunities across the county.

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For interviews or more information, contact:

Renée T. Walker
Oakland County Treasurer's Office
[email protected]
(313) 719-8038

Joe St. Henry
Oakland County Michigan Works!
[email protected]
(248) 459-0706