New Financial Navigator available for Tempe residents
No-cost program helps individuals, families impacted by pandemic
A new no-cost Financial Navigator Program is available starting Oct. 5 to help residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic connect with financial resources, understand how to work with creditors and maximize their income.
Residents will get one-on-one assistance over the phone and can tailor a plan to their specific needs, everything from applying for rent assistance to managing college loans to finding free tax help.
The City of Tempe is launching the Financial Navigator Program in partnership with the national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund). Tempe’s Human Services Department has been awarded an $80,000 grant to implement the program; Tempe is the only Arizona city awarded the CFE Fund grant.
“We know that many of our residents have been impacted financially by the pandemic and are overwhelmed right now trying to sort through all of the information about available programs and services,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “Having access to a financial navigator who can provide one-on-one guidance is really critical. We want any individual or family to reach out and get the help they need quickly during this difficult time.”
The Financial Navigator Program will be housed at CARE 7, the city’s crisis response program. Specially-trained navigators will serve any Tempe community member who needs confidential referrals and resources.
Participants can self-refer using a secure, online portal. To participate:
- Submit basic information through the portal at: https://finnav.org/tempe. Participants will be asked about language preference and how they wish to be contacted.
- Participants receive either a text or email with follow-up questions that will allow the navigator to tailor resources to specific needs. Participants will give the navigator permission to call them.
- During a roughly 30-minute phone call, the navigator will assess top needs and available resources. At the same time, the navigator will help identify any other needs that may be served through the city such as housing or preschool.
- The participant will receive a call summary in a PDF format to detail everything discussed in the call.
The Financial Navigators initiative is launching in cities across the country to help those impacted by the pandemic.
“We’re grateful to our many partners rising to the enormous challenge of responding to the waves of demand for financial counseling and navigation from people across the country impacted economically by COVID-19,” said Jonathan Mintz, CFE Fund president and chief executive officer. “Increasingly, local leaders are deploying financial empowerment efforts as a core part of their front-line COVID-19 response.”
The Financial Navigators initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
“Sound financial health is a critical component of addressing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on low-income and diverse communities in the U.S,” said Sarah Bainton Kahn, VP of Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co. “We are pleased to collaborate with the CFE Fund to help people in Tempe to access the tools and services they need to build resiliency and advance their financial health.”
For more details about the Financial Navigator Program: tempe.gov/CARE7.
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Get help with living expenses, job loss or need for supplemental income, concern about repaying debt, guidance on how to stay well or plan ahead and more.
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Media contact: Susie Steckner, susie_steckner@tempe.gov or 480-734-5186
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About the City of Tempe
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