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We’re learning a lot—about families, about policy, about what works. These articles share the insights, stories, and ideas shaping the future for new moms.
The Family Health Project’s three-year, $400/month program has helped 30 first-time mothers in MA improve their education, housing, and employment. Read about the impact.
October 22, 2024
The wage gap for working mothers remains at 63 cents on the dollar, impacting financial stability. Policy solutions and unconditional cash transfers can help by supporting mothers with essential costs and improving job stability.
September 3, 2024
The Denver Basic Income Project demonstrated that unconditional cash transfers, even in small amounts, significantly improved housing stability, reduced parental stress, and lowered public service costs.
July 23, 2024
Studies show that unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) significantly improve the well-being of children in poverty, enhancing health, education, and long-term earnings. Programs like the expanded Child Tax Credit and Baby’s First Years highlight the positive effects of even modest cash assistance, supporting Family Health Project’s goal to expand direct support for mothers and babies.
June 13, 2024
Family Health Project’s $400 monthly payments for single mothers in Massachusetts improve education, job access, and reduce financial stress, helping families achieve better opportunities and stability.
May 10, 2024
April 18, 2024
Poverty can be reduced through targeted programs like Social Security and the Child Tax Credit, but political inaction prevents further progress. Family Health Project provides direct financial assistance to low-income families, showing the immediate benefits of cash transfers while advocating for broader change.
In 2022, U.S. child poverty surged to 12.4%, largely due to the end of the expanded Child Tax Credit. Family Health Project provides $400 monthly to low-income mothers, helping reduce poverty and improve child development.
November 1, 2023
This article challenges the myth that cash assistance leads to substance abuse, highlighting that funds are used for essential needs. Family Health Project’s $400 monthly payments improve financial stability and child development, demonstrating the effectiveness of direct cash transfers in combating poverty.
October 1, 2023
August 31, 2023
This article challenges the myth that poverty is caused by laziness, highlighting that many working individuals still face hardship. Research supports that such direct cash transfers help break the cycle of poverty.
August 1, 2023
This article challenges the myth that all poor people are Black and highlights the impact of systemic racism and economic inequality on Black communities. It discusses how factors like healthcare disparities contribute to poor outcomes, especially for Black women.
The article highlights the importance of trust in combating poverty, emphasizing that unconditional cash transfers, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit, enhance family well-being and child development. Research shows these programs yield positive outcomes, advocating for trust in parents and evidence-based policies for lasting change.
April 24, 2023
Duke economist Lisa Gennetian discusses preliminary findings from the "Baby's First Years" study, which shows that unconditional cash transfers can enhance infant brain development by reducing financial stress on caregivers and allowing better investments in children's resources.
May 20, 2022
May 8, 2022
One year ago, Family Health Project launched its first pilot program for new mothers in financial hardship, providing $400 per month for three years. This direct, unconditional cash transfer approach has shown significant benefits in similar studies like Baby’s First Years and other guaranteed income pilots.
Angelique Cribbs, a Boston mother of two, faced financial instability due to job loss and housing struggles. The Advance Child Tax Credit helped her save for an apartment and cover basic needs.
February 16, 2022
Family Health Project is excited to launch a new program at Whittier Street Health Center, providing 15 low-income mothers with $400 a month for three years. This initiative offers unconditional cash to support families without red tape, empowering mothers to choose how best to meet their needs.
January 4, 2022
Katie O’Leary, a social worker with the Family Health Project, sees how $400 a month is helping young, undocumented mothers cover basic needs like food and rent. O’Leary calls it a "saving grace," and with plans for expansion, the Family Health Project continues to focus on improving child development through direct financial support.
November 24, 2021
October 29, 2021
Key lessons from the program's first few months highlight the importance of randomized referrals, face-to-face relationship building, and hands-on support with financial tools like debit cards.
September 16, 2021
A University of Chicago study found that low-income parents, especially those with less education, enjoyed more positive relationships with their children during the pandemic, thanks to financial support.
As eviction moratoriums end, many low-income families face housing instability, which harms children's health, behavior, and academic performance. Frequent moves and poor housing conditions cause stress and developmental delays.
August 4, 2021
The Gainesville, Florida, Guaranteed Income pilot program provides $1,000 for the first month and $600 monthly to 115 formerly incarcerated individuals. Designed with input from people with firsthand poverty experience, the program was adjusted to better meet their needs.
July 21, 2021
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf uses the story of a man losing his job due to a broken washing machine to highlight the need for guaranteed income. Over 45 U.S. cities are piloting such programs, offering monthly payments between $300 to $1200. These pilots aim to provide financial stability, with support growing after the pandemic.
July 8, 2021
Early environments, especially poverty and stress, affect children's development. Programs like Babies First Years, which provide income to low-income families, show promise in improving brain development and reducing stress, offering a healthier start for children.
June 23, 2021
Joe Knowles, Director of the Family Health Project (FHP), argues public health should learn from business by focusing on scaling programs. Scaling increases efficiency and reduces costs, which is crucial in public health with limited resources. FHP simplifies its approach by using health centers for referrals, a debit card system for payments, and standardized screening tools.
June 9, 2021
June 1, 2021
The U.S. safety net for children includes programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Child Tax Credit, providing vital support for low-income families. However, these programs are fragmented, hard to navigate, and often fail to reach all eligible families due to complexity and inconsistent benefits across states.
June 1, 2021
Child poverty in America remains a persistent issue, with significant long-term effects.
June 1, 2021
Children in poverty experience delayed language development, toxic stress, and greater risk of abuse, unsafe neighborhoods, and poor housing. These factors harm brain development, school success, and health, leading to lower earnings and higher rates of legal issues in adulthood.
May 27, 2021
Jeffrey Madrick’s The Invisible Americans calls for a child allowance to combat child poverty in the U.S., advocating for cash payments to empower parents. Experts support cash assistance as a way to improve children’s environments and tackle systemic poverty.
May 10, 2021
Greg Duncan, an expert on child poverty, supports combining a child allowance with an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to cut child poverty by a third. He advocates for monthly payments to give parents control over spending.
The first-year evaluation of Stockton's $500/month guaranteed income program showed increased full-time work, reduced income instability, and lower stress. Participants also gained more family time and felt a sense of dignity from spending on essentials and personal items.
May 3, 2021
The new Family Health Project is a cost-effective, scalable way to knock out child poverty—because we can’t lose another generation of children.
April 25, 2021