This brief outlines the results of an assessment of Mobility Connection, a housing mobility program in St. Louis, Missouri. Mobility Connection is administered through Ascend STL and this assessment was conducted in partnership with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis. Our research focused on answering the following questions: How do Mobility […]
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Poverty and Race: The Other St. Louis, with Wes Moore
November 10, 2018: 10:15 AM-11:45 AM McKinley – Mezz Level (Marriott Wardman Park) Panel Chairs: Nisha Patel, Robin HoodDiscussants: Jeremie Greer, Prosperity Now and David Newville, Prosperity Now
National Fund for Workforce Solutions Receives New Funding to Promote Good Jobs (Links to an external site)
In today’s tight labor market, employers compete for talent and jobs are plentiful. And workers have choices…
Financial Well-being: Measuring Financial Perceptions and Experiences in Low- and Moderate- Income Households (Links to an external site)
Abstract As the gig economy plays an increasingly important role in the labor market, there is a need to understand the economic factors that influence participation in this sector. In this paper, we investigate how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax […]
Research Wire (Links to an external site)
Bufe, S., Roll, S. P., Kondratjeva, O., Hardy, B., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2019). Does Savings Affect Participation in the Gig Economy? Evidence from a Tax Refund Field Experiment (SPI Working Paper 19-1). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Social Policy Institute.
Financially Stressed Families Save More with Medicaid, Study Shows
As the gig economy plays an increasingly important role in the labor market, there is a need to understand the economic factors that influence participation in this sector. In this paper, we investigate how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax filing. […]
The Impact of Gig-Economy on Financial Hardship among Low-Income Families” Kaitlin Daniels, Olin Business School at Washington University
As the gig economy plays an increasingly important role in the labor market, there is a need to understand the economic factors that influence participation in this sector. In this paper, we investigate how saving the federal tax refund affects gig economy participation for low-income online tax filers in the six months following tax filing. […]
Investments with Returns: a Systematic Literature Review of Health-focused Housing Interventions (Links to an external site)
Centene Center for Health Transformation Faculty Director Matthew Kreuter, PhD has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential researchers by Stanford University in a recent study published in PLOS Biology.
Centene Center’s Matthew Kreuter, PhD on List of Most Influential Scientists (Links to an external site)
Centene Center for Health Transformation Faculty Director Matthew Kreuter, PhD has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential researchers by Stanford University in a recent study published in PLOS Biology.
Financially Stressed Families Save More with Medicaid, Study Shows (Links to an external site)
Financially burdened families’ savings get a shot in the arm with access to Medicaid, according to a new study from CU Boulder, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis and Diego Portales University in Chile.
The Power of Mobile Phones for Low-Income Populations: Dr. Tess Thompson to Highlight Findings at American Public Health Association Annual Meeting (Links to an external site)
Tess Thompson, PhD, a faculty researcher at the Centene Center for Health Transformation, has been selected to share her findings during a Poster Session at the American Public Health Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo being held Nov. 2 through 6 in Philadelphia, Pa.
Social Policy Institute Launches to Help Advance the Influence of Research at Washington University in St. Louis (Links to an external site)
On September 24, the Social Policy Institute, a new university-wide initiative dedicated to addressing pressing social issues through empirical research, dissemination of evidence-informed policy, and training in social policy, launched at Washington University in St. Louis.
Credit-building services for employees: An assessment of engagement and outcomes
This is one research brief in a series of five completed through the Employee Financial Wellness Programs Project. In this study, we examine administrative data for national nonprofit Working Credit’s employee benefit, which combines credit building education, one-on-one counseling, and access to financial products to help workers establish good credit. Working Credit offers credit-building services […]
Workplace credit-building counseling at a Midwest employer: An assessment of take-up, engagement, and outcomes
This is one research brief in a series of five completed through the Employee Financial Wellness Programs Project. In this study, we focus on a workplace credit-building counseling program. This service is offered by a non-profit service provider that combines credit-building education, one-on-one counseling, and access to financial products to help low-income workers establish good […]
Financial counseling for low- and moderate-income home health care employees: An assessment of take-up, engagement, and outcomes
This is one research brief in a series of five completed through the Employee Financial Wellness Programs Project. In this study, we analyze administrative data and interviews regarding Trusted Advisor, a workplace financial wellness benefit offering one-on-one counseling linked to vetted financial tools. The purpose of this study was to examine take-up, engagement, and financial […]
Employer-sponsored small-dollar loans: An assessment of take-up, engagement, and outcomes
This is one research brief in a series of five completed through the Employee Financial Wellness Programs Project. In this study, we focus on an employer-sponsored small-dollar loan (ESSDL) product, TrueConnect loans, aimed at providing employees an affordable credit alternative to payday, auto title, and other high-cost loans. We present and discuss results of our […]
Financial counseling for low- and moderate-income employees: An assessment of engagement and outcomes
This is one research brief in a series of five completed through the Employee Financial Wellness Programs Project supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. In this study, we focus on the results of analyses of administrative data for Trusted Advisor, a workplace financial wellness benefit offering one-on-one counseling linked to vetted financial tools. This service […]
Social Policy Institute Launch Event
Washington University in St. Louis is launching the Social Policy Institute (SPI), a new university-wide initiative dedicated to addressing pressing social issues through empirical research, dissemination of evidence-informed policy, and training in social policy.
Dependent care FSAs: Policy proposals to level the playing field for low- to moderate-income parents
This research was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in this report are those of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation.The authors are grateful to Don Baylor at the Annie E. Casey Foundation […]
Dependent care FSAs: The uneven playing field for employers and workers
This research was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in this report are those of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation.The authors are grateful to Don Baylor at the Annie E. Casey Foundation […]
Making the Case: What Data Can Do for Your Pilot Program
Job quality intervention pilot programs have the potential to help employers discover effective ways to recruit and retain frontline workers. The Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis offers insights into realistic ways to obtain data on your pilot program’s effectiveness and ideas about how to convey your results in ways that will garner support for your efforts.
Financial wellness programs in the workplace: Employer motivations and experiences
Employee financial wellness programs (EFWPs) are a benefit innovation that promise to address the financial challenges of employees while also benefiting employers. Results from a mixed-methods study of employers suggest early adopters appear to be motivated primarily by a desire to help employees. EFWP success may depend on promotion by organizational champions. Programs that accommodate […]
Measuring Impact of Employee Financial Wellness Programs
Employee financial wellness programs have garnered a great deal of attention, but what do we really know about their impact on employees? The Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis presents hot-off-the-presses research on financial wellness program outcomes and discusses best practices in measurement.
Making dependent care FSAs work for low- to moderate-income families: 5 action steps for employers
Action steps for employers to make DCFSAs more usable and effective at reducing the child care cost burden. Project: Workforce Financial Stability Initiative
The Saving for Every Child Program in Israel: an overview of a universal asset-building policy
In 2017, the Israeli government implemented a universal child development account programme – the Saving for Every Child Program (SECP) – which establishes a personal savings account for every Israeli child and provides monthly deposits until the child turns 18. The SECP has the potential to provide substantial assets when children reach adulthood, but the […]
Enrollment and participation in a universal child savings program: Evidence from the rollout of Israel’s National Program
Child Development Accounts (CDAs) are savings or investment accounts typically opened at birth or during a child’s early years with the aim of promoting savings and asset accumulation for child development purposes, such as post-secondary education or homeownership. Beginning in January of 2017, the Israeli government established a universal CDA program called the Saving for […]
BMC Public Health Publishes Centene Center Research on Efforts to Boost Participation in a Family-Centered Pediatric Obesity Intervention Program (Links to an external site)
The Centene Center for Health Transformation™ announces its first published academic research paper based on interviews conducted with parents on how to better engage members in Raising Well, Envolve’s family-centered pediatric obesity intervention program.
Social Policy Institute launches at Washington University (Links to an external site)
University-wide institute to advance the influence of research in innovating policy solutions
Child Development Accounts in Israel
Child Development Accounts (CDAs) are savings or investment accounts opened for children at birth or at early ages with the goal to promote savings and asset accumulation for long-term development (e.g., education, homeownership, or business development). Beginning in January of 2017, the Israeli government established a universal CDA program called Saving for Every Child Program […]
Julie O’Brien to Address the Health Impact of Unmet Basic Needs in Low-Income, Diabetic Populations at Medicaid Health Plans of America Annual Conference (Links to an external site)
Julie O’Brien, PhD will join other esteemed panelists at this year’s Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) Conference to discuss research findings on health and unmet basic needs conducted by the Centene Center for Health Transformation.
Tess Thompson, PhD Awarded American Cancer Society Grant to Help Improve Breast Cancer Outcomes (Links to an external site)
Centene Center for Health Transformation faculty researcher Tess Thompson, PhD has been named the recipient of a Mentored Research Scholar Grant in Applied and Clinical Research (MRSG-19-086-01-CPPB) from the American Cancer Society.
CNBC Features Centene Center’s Dan Ariely’s Insight About Making the Most Out of Your Money (Links to an external site)
Centene Center Faculty Director and behavior economics researcher, Dan Ariely, PhD, MA, recently discussed spending habits and how to feel richer on CNBC.
Credit counseling can lead to significant reduction in consumer debt (Links to an external site)
People who take advantage of nonprofit credit counseling services have statistically significant reductions in consumer debt, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
How Dan Ariely Sees the Future of Financial Advice (Links to an external site)
Centene Center Faculty Director and behavior economics researcher, Dan Ariely, PhD, MA, talks with ThinkAdvisor about the future of financial advice and how he sees the role of financial advisor evolving over time. He discusses why the usual motivator of paying people can backfire, as well as why people make irrational decisions regarding their money. Rusoff, J. W.
Social Policy Institute receives $385,000 grant (Links to an external site)
The newly established Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis has received a $385,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co. as part of the company’s $125 million, five-year global commitment to promoting customers’ financial health.
Distracted Employees? Financial Wellness Can Help
Low- and moderate-income employees’ financial lives can be complicated and the challenge of making ends meet may distract them at work. Employers can offer evidence-informed workplace financial products and services targeted towards LMI employees to improve stability and increase wealth.
2019 Convening Workshop: The Time is Now: Building An Economy That Works For Everyone (Links to an external site)
The Time is Now is a powerful convening of workforce development professionals, employers, frontline workers, and funders. This two-day event will advance the learning agenda on critical workforce issues.
New Directions on Savings Policy (Links to an external site)
The Social Policy Institute welcomes Kathy Kraninger, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who will be giving remarks on the importance of promoting financial security and financial well-being and discussing a new savings initiative from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Co-sponsored by the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, the Gephardt Institute for Civic & Community Engagement and the CFPB.
New consumer protection director to speak June 12 (Links to an external site)
Kathy Kraninger, who was named director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) six months ago, spoke about the bureau’s new directions and initiatives in savings policy in Hillman Hall’s Clark-Fox Forum. Michal Grinstein-Weiss, professor in Brown School and SPI director, will oversee a panel focused on the importance of savings in economically vulnerable communities.
Where Do You Get Your Health Information? (Links to an external site)
In a recent study conducted by the Centene Center for Health Transformation, Medicaid, and commercially insured individuals shared their top resources for learning about health topics. Not surprising, both groups communicated that their top three sources were the Internet, doctors/healthcare providers, and valued personal supporters such as family members of friends, preferably those with health-related training like nurses.
Tax Time Savings Initiative – Partner Convening
To provide the opportunity for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the Bureau) Tax Time Savings Initiative Cohort partners to meet in person and share ideas on ways that Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs can increase economic stability through the improved use of savings products and services.
The Connection between Unmet Social Needs, Stress, and Health (Links to an external site)
Research results from a recent study completed by the Centene Center for Health Transformation show that the more unmet social needs someone has, the more barriers to self-care, worse health behaviors, and worse health outcomes they experience.
Innovation and Social Welfare in Israel (Links to an external site)
In June 2018, the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel unanimously elected Isaac Herzog to succeed Natan Sharansky as the Chairman of the Executive of this historic and influential organization.
Behavioral Factors Impacting Diabetes (Links to an external site)
This Centene Center for Health Transformation™ video highlights the growing diabetes epidemic and the Centene Center’s collaborative research on the behavioral factors that impact diabetes management.
How to rescue your workers from a financial free fall (Links to an external site)
Despard, M.; Hosted by Business Solver
Designing and implementing a financial wellness strategy for low- and moderate-income workers (Links to an external site)
Frank-Miller, E.; Hosted by the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Israel’s Child Development Accounts Appeal to Families (Links to an external site)
Schoenherr, N. When Israel implemented a child development account policy, 65 percent of households actively enrolled in the first 6 months, research finds.
Health, Wealth, & Place: What You Can Do (Links to an external site)
Germain, G.; Speaker at the National Credit Union Foundation’s CUF in Health Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
Participation is high in Israel’s universal CDA program, the first in the world (Links to an external site)
Schoenherr, N. A new analysis by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis examines enrollment and participation trends in a newly implemented national Israeli child development account (CDA) policy, finding that 65 percent of households actively enrolled in the program during the first six months.
The Workplace Financial Wellness Program Blog Series with Prosperity Now (Links to an external site)
Efforts to build financial wellness at work, like offering financial services as workplace benefits, are intended to help employees feel better about their financial lives and may be linked to improved productivity and increased employee engagement. To learn about the benefits of financial wellness programs, what types to offer and how to evaluate them, explore this series prepared by Prosperity Now and the Workforce Financial Stability Initiative (WFSI) at Washington University in St. Louis. WFSI is funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.