What if a children’s savings account (CSA) program could also address mental health, physical wellness, financial literacy, and more—all in one day?

In early May, the Lapeer County Education Attainment Fund (LEAF) hosted a first-of-its-kind, countywide wellness fair that united 30 community partner organizations with a mission of addressing whole child and family health. By completing different activities at the LEAF 360! Wellness Fair, local families were eligible to earn up to $80 for their students’ savings accounts.  

At the heart of LEAF 360!—a health-integrated CSA model co-designed with community partners—is the idea that financial, physical, and mental health are deeply interconnected. The LEAF 360! Wellness Fair was a milestone for that framework, demonstrating how tying financial incentives to holistic wellness can support families more effectively while helping them save for the postsecondary pathway of their student’s choosing. When families are worried about covering basic health needs or medical-related costs, saving for the future can feel out of reach. The event convened stakeholders from all corners of the community to support students and their families with a broader, 360-degree approach to wellness.

“It started with a crazy idea,” says Nancy Boxey, executive director of long-time CEDAM member the Lapeer County Community Foundation (LCCF). In partnership with ELGA Credit Union and the Lapeer County Intermediate School District, the team at LCCF administers the LEAF CSA program.

“Children’s savings programs are proven to foster financial capability and raise college aspirations,” said Boxey. “Our idea for a wellness fair stemmed from imagining how much further the impact of our program could go in a rural community if paired with wraparound health initiatives that address the day-to-day challenges our students face.”

A collaborative planning process

Though the event was hosted in late spring 2026, planning began well over a year in advance. LEAF first approached CEDAM with the idea in spring 2025 and ultimately pitched the concept when applying for the Innovation & Sustainability Grant. These grants are awarded to established CSA programs across Michigan to support new initiatives that strengthen their immediate and long-term sustainability, effectiveness, and community impact. With this funding, the LEAF team began establishing a coalition of roughly 30 community organizations and partners. 

“One of our main goals in building this countywide collaborative was to get organizations and agencies out of their silos in order to build more efficient service delivery and address creative solutions,” said Boxey. “We specifically did not want to build something new, but to take advantage of what we have available in our county.”

Through a series of one-hour lunch meetings, LEAF and its partners held small-group discussions and brainstormed activities that would address mental, social/emotional, physical, medical, and financial health. 

“Guided by the great team at LEAF, the idea of the event evolved in lockstep with willing leadership and partnership, so it never seemed like it was outsized or understaffed,” said Matt Henry, coalition member and executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County. “The process was well led, well communicated, and responsive to all involved.”

In addition to the Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County, partners in this coalition included the Lapeer County Intermediate School District, ELGA Credit Union, Lapeer County MSU Extension, McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital, and numerous countywide health organizations, community-based action groups, local businesses, and a private medical practice.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the planning process was seeing so many organizations and community leaders come together around a shared goal,” said Amanda Hardy, a branch manager at ELGA Credit Union’s Lapeer location, who participated in the coalition. 

When identifying a location, LEAF was approached by the admin at the Lapeer County Education and Technology Center, who offered to open their entire building to the public for the event, free of charge. With the ability to host activities indoors and outdoors, the LEAF 360! team created a map of the grounds that listed each activity and used colored footprints to help guide families between offerings spread throughout the space.

A range of activities

At the wellness fair, more than 15 activities showcased various aspects of wellness and highlighted organizations and resources across Lapeer. A few of the offerings included:

Mindfulness

• Crafts (vegetable planting, breathing sticks, “I Spy” bottle activities)—Lapeer County Community Mental Health
• Child safety sessions—Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County
• Petting zoo