July 7, 2020
Lt. Governor Bysiewicz and Members of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls Economic Opportunity and Workforce Equity Subcommittee Launch Financial Literacy Portal
Initiative will Provide the Latest Financial Literacy News to Further Assist Residents with Every Day Financial Planning
This release was issued by the Lt. Governor's Office.
Hartford, CT — Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, chairwoman of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, and members of the council’s Economic Opportunity and Workforce Equity Subcommittee today announced the launch of the Financial Literacy Portal — an initiative that will ensure helpful resources from state agencies are centralized and non-profits that support financial literacy are highlighted.
The website was developed after the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls Economic Opportunity and Workforce Equity Subcommittee, together with some of its Steering Committee members and other partner organizations, identified the need to create a centralized location for financial literacy information.
From providing information about family budgeting, credit reports, financing higher education, rent and home buying, purchasing a vehicle, financial wellness for individuals with disabilities and resources for veterans, this platform provides residents with the resources and guidance they need to succeed as a business owner, student, worker, retiree or citizen.
“Knowledge is power and, particularly during these times of economic hardship, it’s vital that we arm our residents with the resources and tools needed to succeed. This starts with ensuring our consumers, business owners, students, workers and families are financially literate so they can manage their money with confidence,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “From pursuing a higher education, to purchasing a home, to starting a new business, this Financial Literacy Portal will provide all of Connecticut’s residents with the foundation to be successful in every chapter of their lives. Thank you to the members of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls Economic Opportunity and Workforce Equity Subcommittee for equipping our residents with the knowledge and resources they need to mange their money effectively.”
"Every day, our office fights to protect Connecticut residents from fraud and abuse, which sets families back and hinders our state's economic growth," said Attorney General William Tong. "Providing our citizens with the education and knowledge they need to find genuine opportunities and understand risks is an important part of that fight. The Financial Literacy Portal will be a fantastic tool for our state and will help us recover even quicker from our current economic situation so I applaud the Council on Women and Girls for their initiative and dedication to this subject. I particularly want to thank Solicitor General Clare Kindall for her work representing the Office of the Attorney General on the Council and the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee."
“Financial literacy is a critical part of the every day lives of consumers and businesses,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “We know that if our residents are aware of the financial tools available to them — our consumers, our businesses, and our economy can be more successful. I am pleased that DCP was able to collaborate with our sister agencies to build the financial literacy portal, and I look forward to seeing the list of available resources grow.”
“The state’s financial literacy portal will help residents, particularly those with limited resources, gain familiarity with things like budgeting, saving, and the true cost of credit card debt — to potentially mitigate future financial pressures,” said OHS Executive Director Vicki Veltri. “More specific to healthcare, improved financial literacy can help residents understand the value of well-care, preventative check-ups, and health insurance options, along with the return-on-investment for such things as sleep, exercise, and good nutrition.”
“Ensuring that women and girls have information they need to make smart financial decisions is key to their future economic success and preventing them from becoming victims of scams and frauds,” said Department of Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez. “Good money management skills allow us to save and budget, avoid debt, establish good credit and even invest in our future. This financial literacy website is a one-stop-shop to access many of the important resources and educational programs our state has to offer.”
“Enhancing and expanding personal finance education in our schools has been shown to prepare students to make more informed decisions when it comes to money and achieve success and happiness in their postsecondary lives,” said Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona. “Over the last several years, the Department has worked closely with many districts to embed financial literacy into their curricula and make it a local graduation requirement. The state’s Financial Literacy Portal will go a long way in supporting that work.”
The State of Connecticut has also partnered with a number of non-profit organizations and federal agencies to provide the latest financial literacy news to further assist residents with every day financial planning.
AARP Connecticut, the American Association of University Women, Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, ICS Group, Connecticut Jump$tart Coalition, The Reitz Group, LLC, The United State of Women, United Way 211 Connecticut, Women’s Business Development Council, Women’s Mentoring Network and YWCA Hartford Region have all partnered with the State of Connecticut to provide up-to-date financial literacy information.
Visit the Financial Literacy Portal here.
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Media Contacts
Samantha Norton
Samantha.Norton@ct.gov
Matt Smith
matthew.smith@ct.gov