County workers will teach low- and moderate-income residents about personal finances, Department of Public Social Services officials announced today.
“We have found that many of our clients would benefit immensely from a financial empowerment toolkit,” said Brian Stigler, director of the Department of Consumer Affairs. “I’m convinced that if they understood and implemented a few financial empowerment principles, our clients may have made better financial decisions and not have found themselves in a position to become victims of unscrupulous individuals and businesses who prey on our most vulnerable populations.”
The program is a partnership between the two departments and the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The eight-hour course will be taught to about 9,000 staffers who provide services to 3 million county residents.
“Your Money, Your Goals: A Financial Empowerment Toolkit” includes information on financial strategies, budgeting, managing debt and consumer rights.