Supporting workforce well-being: Dupaco leads the way in financial education

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Employers have traditionally offered their workforce benefits like healthcare insurance, retirement saving plans and paid time off.  With consumers continuing to feel budget pinch points, a recent study by PNC (What Today’s Workers Value Most, Across Generations) found 68% of workers are financially stressed and spending four hours per week at work worrying about money. Partnering with a local credit union, employers are supporting their teams and adding a new, no-cost benefit their teams are requesting: financial wellness programs. 

Dupaco Credit Union’s Community Outreach and Education team now partners with over 1,000 employers in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois to provide financial wellness programs with 1-on-1 coaching, on-site financial education classes and on-demand webinars—all at no cost to businesses or employees. 

These programs are designed to help employees manage their personal finances more effectively— reducing financial stress and distractions while improving overall well-being and productivity. 

“When money worries follow people to work, it impacts everything—from focus and safety to retention,” says Erin Engler, VP Community Outreach and Education at Dupaco Credit Union. “That’s why we bring financial education and coaching directly to the job site and back it up with Dupaco’s digital tools they can use anytime. We meet workers where they are and help them build habits that reduce stress and improve outcomes—for the employee and the employer.” 

Engler leads Dupaco’s Community Outreach and Education department—a team of employees who travel to businesses across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois providing no-cost on-site, online and on-demand support for companies and their employees.  

In 2025, this team served select employer groups by providing 1,124 on-site visits and delivered 253 presentations on financial topics like budgeting, debt reduction strategies and credit improvement.  

“We’re essentially a mobile version of Dupaco’s branches and Learning Labs. We’re bringing Dupaco to members and non-members at a place where it’s convenient to them: their employer,” said Engler. 

According to PNC, only 29% of employers surveyed said they offer financial education; this is down from 36% in 2024 and 30% in 2023. The same study also found 81% of U.S. workers are more likely to stay with an employer that offers more financial wellness benefits and 61% of workers without access to financial education say they would use these benefits if offered.  

Dupaco has been supporting area businesses and their employees with no-cost financial wellness programs for decades.  

“Providing financial wellness programs is part of our DNA. Dupaco was formed in 1948 by employees of the Dubuque Packing Company to serve the financial needs of their co-workers and families. Dupaco employees would travel to the various meat packing plants to provide financial education and resources. We continue that same service today, traveling to employers and supporting their employees,” said Engler. 

Regardless of company size or hours of operation, Dupaco’s Community Outreach and Education team offers no-cost financial wellness programs for employers. For more information, please visit https://www.dupaco.com/business/employee-benefit-program/.  

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About Dupaco Community Credit Union 

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

WisDOT study comment period extended to Jan. 31

Due to the high volume of comments received so far, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is extending the public comment period to January 31, 2026, for the recent public meeting held for the Beltline Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study.

The Study covers approximately 20 miles of US 12/14/18/151 (Beltline) from US 14 (city of Middleton) to County N (town of Cottage Grove) in Dane County. At the meeting the study team presented an overview of the information included in the Draft Beltline PEL Study Summary Report and the Preferred Strategy Package. The materials from the meeting, including the recorded presentation, meeting handout, and exhibits can be found on the public involvement (PI) page of the study website at the link below.

Beltline PEL PI Page

If you haven’t already, please consider providing feedback by filling out the online comment form. A direct link to the comment form can be found on the public involvement page of the study website.

MMSD High Schools to Host Transition Nights for Rising Freshmen

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will host a series of transition nights in January for current eighth-grade students and their families as they prepare to enter high school in the 2026–27 school year.

Held at each of the district’s four comprehensive high schools, these events offer incoming freshmen and their families an opportunity to learn more about academic programs, extracurricular activities and student supports available at each school. Families will also have the chance to meet teachers and staff, ask questions, connect with other rising freshmen and become familiar with the buildings where students will spend the next four years of their academic journey.

“High school is a pivotal time in a student’s life, and we want families to feel welcomed and supported from the very beginning,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “These nights help students see themselves as part of a school community and understand the many ways they can grow, contribute and succeed.”

Each event will include information on coursework, clubs, athletics and student services, along with opportunities to engage directly with school staff and administrators.

“Transition nights are an important step in helping students and families feel informed, confident and connected as they move into high school,” said Mary Jankovich, executive director of college, career and community readiness. “They provide a space to explore opportunities, build relationships and begin imagining the paths students can take toward graduation and beyond.”

Event details are as follows:

• East High School
  Preppin’ to Be a Purgolder Night
  6–8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026
  2222 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704
  
• Vel Phillips Memorial High School
  Vel Phillips Memorial Night
  6–7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
  201 S. Gammon Rd., Madison, WI 53717
  
• West High School
  Welcome to West High School
  7–8:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
  30 Ash St., Madison, WI 53726
  
• Robert M. La Follette High School
  Future La Follette Lancer Night
  6–8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
  702 Pflaum Rd., Madison, WI 53716

Families are encouraged to attend the event for the high school their student will enter next year. Additional information is available on the MMSD website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Application open for Dupaco Foundation renewable college scholarships

DUBUQUE, Iowa – High school seniors pursuing post-secondary education this fall are invited to apply for renewable college scholarships from the Dupaco Foundation.

Twenty scholarships will be awarded:

• Ten $4,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors planning to attend a four-year college or university. Each scholarship will be distributed in annual increments of $1,000 over four years.
• Ten $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors planning to attend a community college or trade school. Each scholarship will be distributed in annual increments of $1,000 over two years. An extension option of up to $2,000 is available for students who transfer to a four-year college or university.

The Dupaco Foundation believes education is a powerful tool for creating pathways to future success. As technology and the economy evolve, many individuals risk being left behind without the skills needed for stable, good-paying jobs – especially those from underserved communities. Scholarships help close that gap by expanding access to training, education and certifications that connect people to in-demand careers.

“Education opens doors to opportunity. By investing in students today, we’re helping build the workforce and communities of tomorrow,” said Joe Hearn, Board Secretary for the Dupaco Foundation.

For complete scholarship details and to apply, visit dupaco.com/scholarship. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (CT) Wednesday, February 25, 2026. For questions, please contact scholarship@dupaco.com.

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ABOUT DUPACO FOUNDATION:
Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, also known as Dupaco Foundation, (the “Foundation”) is a tax-exempt private foundation described in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation is a separate legal entity from Dupaco Community Credit Union (the “Credit Union”) and is governed by its own Board of Directors and officers. The Foundation was established in 2011 to honor the retirement of 47-year employee and long-time Dupaco Community Credit Union President and CEO, Robert W. “Bob” Hoefer. The Foundation is designed to carry on the Bob Hoefer tradition of providing personal financial assistance and coaching to help hardworking and financially prudent people recover from unforeseen life events and to increase their opportunities for financial stability. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/foundation.

Complete WisDOT’s Intercity Passenger Rail Survey

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has engaged with HDR Engineering, Inc. to develop and distribute a survey to Wisconsin economic development organizations to better understand transportation needs regarding intercity passenger rail service, that is train travel between cities, for yourselves as well as your members and constituents. You can access the survey via this link.

This survey will be open from December 19-January 9. We encourage you to forward on this survey link to others at your organization to provide WisDOT with the broadest possible input as this information will help WisDOT with any future intercity passenger rail planning and ensure that the voices of stakeholders are included.

If you have any questions or issues for either survey, please email Joe Haferman at joseph.haferman@hdrinc.com.