Take Charge Lab delivers a learning experience that is intentionally designed for how individuals with IDD learn best. Rather than overwhelming participants with complex information, the platform focuses on clarity, repetition, and real-life application. The Take Charge Lab curriculum was developed by experienced curriculum designers and is organized into three learning series that build practical financial skills step by step.
Series 1: Understanding You Money – Introduces basic financial concepts and helps participants begin understanding how money works in their everyday lives.
Lesson 1.1 – Know Where Your Money Comes From
Lesson 1.2 – Reading Your Pay Stub or Benefit Letter
Lesson 1.3 – Starting Your Spending Plan
Series 2: Managing Your Spending – Builds on foundational knowledge by exploring common financial situations and everyday spending decisions.
Lesson 2.1 – Tracking Your Daily Spending
Lesson 2.2 – Ranking Bills
Lesson 2.3 – Noticing Your Spending
Series 3: Fitting Your Budget – Focuses on helping participants understand how to make spending decisions and manage their money within a budget.
Lesson 3.1 – Does Your Spending Fit Your Income?
Lesson 3.2 – Adjust Spending to Fit Income
Lesson 3.3 – Making a Monthly Plan
What Makes It Different
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Visual Learning
Lessons use images, scenarios, and real-world examples to improve understanding -
Step-by-Step Progression
Skills are built gradually to reinforce confidence over time -
Multiple Learning Formats
Participants engage through instruction, interaction, and practice -
Simplified Language
Content is clear, direct, and easy to follow
Built for Real Life
Every lesson is designed around situations participants actually encounter:
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Spending money
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Saving for goals
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Avoiding scams
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Making safe decisions