Welcome to the California Department of Financial Institutions

DFI Community Outreach Calendar

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) brings information directly to consumers through outreach efforts such as presentations to community and consumer groups and distributing consumer information at community events. DFI also develops partnerships with other regulators, government agencies, financial services, community organizations and others who are working to help consumers become informed and proactive.

To invite DFI to participate in a community event, please contact Alana Golden, Public Information Officer, at agolden@dfi.ca.gov or 916-323-7012.

April 2012

  • 2012 California Financial Literacy Conference For Educators - Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, South San Francisco Convention Center. For grade 4-12 educators, California community colleges, nonprofits, businesses, community groups, financial professionals, government agencies and others to empower California's educators to fight financial illiteracy by educating a new generation of Californians to manage their finances better than the generations that have gone before. The conference will deliver the tools educators need to integrate personal finance education into their classrooms.. Most programs featured at the conference will result in no fiscal expenses for educators or school districts. Plus, educators will learn the skills to deliver personal finance education themselves or make connections with trained volunteers who can bring personal finance education to their classrooms. The $25 fee includes parking, continental breakfast, lunch and a snack at the event. REGISTER.

February – April 2012

  • Homebuyer Event - Neighborhood LIFT Los Angeles - Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County, lanhsinfo@lanhs.org, February 3rd and 4th,  10:00 am to 7:00 pm,  Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall B,  1201 S Figueroa St.,  Los Angeles, CA 90015 . Learn more and register for the event.

  • Statewide Sites - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Get free tax preparation assistance. Find a site.

    The VITA and TCE volunteer programs provide free assistance to individuals with limited income and/or over the age of 60 who need help in completing simple federal and state income tax returns. Assistance is limited to full-year residents because nonresident and part-year resident returns can be complex. Assistance is generally available from February 1 through April 15th. The VITA program specializes in assisting disabled taxpayers, those with low to limited income, and non-English speaking taxpayers. The TCE program provides free income tax assistance for middle- or low-income taxpayers, giving special attention to those aged 60 and older.

    Be a VITA/TEC Volunteer - For additional information on becoming a partner, site coordinator or volunteer, see Volunteers wanted or contact the Franchise Tax Board at volunteercoordinator@ftb.ca.gov

February - March 2012

  • Free Tax Preparation Sites in the Los Angeles - Office of State Controller John Chiang. Appointment Required. Please call to RSVP an appointment to receive free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. For taxpayers with annual incomes of $50,000 or less.

    Saturday, February 4, 2012
    North Valley Occupational School
    11450 Sharp Avenue
    Mission Hills, CA 91345
    9:00am – 5:00pm
    For appointment call: 818-901-5588

    Saturday, February 11, 2012
    Chicana Action Service Center
    3601 East 1st Street Los Angeles, CA 90063
    9:00am – 5:00pm
    For appointment call: 213-833-6010

    Saturday, February 18, 2012
    Firebaugh High School 5246 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Lynwood, CA 90262
    9:00am – 5:00pm
    For appointment call: 310-603-0220 extension 319

    Saturday March 3, 2012
    Santee High School 1921 South Maple Ave Los Angeles, CA 91766
    9:00am – 5:00pm
    For appointment call: 213-620-4646

  • FREE Seminars for Small Businesses in the community of East Los Angeles – Hosted by California State Controller John Chiang.

    Is your Business in Order? Keeping your Business in Government Compliance and Financial Order - Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Registration 7:30 a.m.. Program 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

    Keep Your Business Thriving! Identifying New Financial Opportunities - Wednesday, March 7, 2012, Registration 7:30 a.m., Program 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

    The Social Media Craze How to Market Your Business - Saturday, March 24, 2012, Registration 7:30 a.m., 8:00am – 1:00 p.m.

    LOCATION:
    Chicana Action Service Center
    3601 East 1st Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90063
    (free parking behind building)

    Click here to register online
January – April 2012

  • WE Connect Health Care Enrollment & Resource Fair in San Jose - Saturday, January 21, 2012, 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, San Antonio Elementary School, 1855 East San Antonio Street, San Jose. Join WE Connect for a Health Care Enrollment Event & Resource Fair! Enrollment Assistors will be on-site to help you enroll in health care and other important services, including CalFresh and discounted utility services. Dental screenings for children and a KidZone with children's activities will also be available! Come early for a FREE healthy food giveaway to the first 500 families! DFI will provide information and materials on banking, saving, investing and other financial education topics. Please bring these documents to enroll in health care services:

    1. Proof of income (recent paycheck stub, 2010 tax forms, employer letter, affidavit, etc.)
    2. Proof of residency (i.e. utility bill)
    3. Child’s birth certificate, social security card or immigration documents (if applicable)

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Preparation Super Events. The Sacramento Coalition for Working Families schedules a series of Super Events where a team of tax preparers is available to assist tax filers in completing and submitting their tax returns. Assistance is available by Appointment Only. In Sacramento, Dial 2-1-1 starting on January 17, 2012 to make an appointment.

    January 28th, February 11th
    (North Area)
    Grant Union High School
    1400 Grand Ave
    Sacramento, CA 95838
    9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

    February 4th
    (South Area)
    George Sim Community Center
    6207 Logan Street
    Sacramento, CA 95824
    9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

    March 10th
    (Central Area)
    Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
    3333 Third Avenue
    Sacramento, CA 95817-2808
    9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

    Please bring
    Photo identification (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly)
    Social Security Card or ITIN for each family member
    W-2 forms for all jobs held in 2011 and all 1099 or 1098 forms
    Child care provider information
    Landlord’s Name, Address and Phone number for the CA renter’s credit

    For a faster refund, bring a voided check for direct deposit. (Don’t have a bank account? Click here)