In an effort to improve financial wellness programs for the state and local workforce, a new initiative will provide financial resources, create tools and case studies, and facilitate conversations among state and local leaders. The effort comes as state and local government employees face increased financial challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis. Even before the crisis, state and local governments were looking for ways to tackle the dual challenges of workforce financial literacy and public employee recruitment and retention.
 
Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, the initiative is structured as a collaboration between the Center For State & Local Government Excellence (SLGE), The International Public Management Association For Human Resources (IPMA-HR) and the National Association Of State Treasurers’ Foundation (NASTF).
 
Building on recent financial wellness and literacy projects , these partners will collaborate on the following efforts over the next 18 months:
 
Selecting state and local governments for competitive grants that will seed new financial wellness programs for their public workers.

Developing research and briefing materials to help state and local governments establish their own financial literacy programs.

Creating a case study learning center and materials that detail the varied approaches state and local governments’ past or potential financial wellness programs for employees and residents.

Hosting conversations and meetings at NASTF and IPMA-HR conferences to bring together public leaders and experts to discuss how financial wellness programs can be implemented by state and local governments.
 
Additional details on the grants process and other programs will be announced soon.
 
“As COVID-19 continues to disrupt our society, municipal employees are on the front lines, keeping our cities and towns running. And even more important is the critical role they will play in our country’s economic recovery,” said Darlene Goins, head of Financial Health Philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “It’s more important than ever for government employees and their families to have access to financial wellness tools and resources that will help them navigate financial challenges now or in the future, reduce debt, save for retirement, or reach other financial goals.”
 
“Recent Center for State and Local Government Excellence research found that 26 percent of local government employers offer financial literacy programs to their workforce, while 65 percent of public employees want access to these programs at work. We look forward to working with IPMA-HR and NAST, with the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, in closing this gap. Implementing this initiative with our partners will make a positive contribution for the benefit of state and local workers and employers,” said Joshua Franzel, SLGE president and chief executive officer.
 
“During these unprecedented times we look forward to working with IPMA-HR and SLGE, with the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, to offer the necessary tools and resources to reach public state and local employees. State Treasurers are keenly aware of the impact of sound fiscal practices, whether for the state house or their own houses and their staff. Having a variety of tools to shore up personal finances is more important than ever right now and will help everyone as we weather this crisis,” said Shaun Snyder, executive director of NAST and the NAST Foundation.
 
“We are pleased be part of a program aimed at strengthening financial wellness programs for the public workforce. These programs are the right thing to do for employees while also helping public employers. Financial wellness programs result in more productive and engaged workers, improved morale, lower absenteeism, lower stress and lower healthcare costs. We know that employees who are in control of their finances are less distracted and can better focus on their jobs, which is crucial for delivering vital public services like public safety, health care and education,” said Neil Reichenberg, IPMA-HR executive director.