28557.02-Building Wealth and Health - Full Intervention

Study Name

Building Wealth and Health—Full Intervention

Study Sharepoint ID

28557.02

Evaluation name

Evaluation of Building Wealth and Health Network

This study received a low study quality rating because it is a high-attrition randomized controlled trial that does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the intervention and comparison groups.

This study received a low study quality rating because it is a high-attrition randomized controlled trial that does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the intervention and comparison groups.

Design

Randomized controlled trial

Services

Financial education

Financial incentives

Health services

Substance use disorder treatment and mental health services

Populations targeted

Cash assistance recipients

Parents

Settings in which the intervention was studied

Urban only

Demographics

Subgroups

Subgroup data - Female

Subgroup data - Male

Subgroup data - White

Subgroup data - Black

Count age

Count Young Adults

Count Hard-to-employ

Count Disability

Count chronically ill

Count mentally ill

Count substance dependent

Count formerly incarcerated

Count Justice involved

Count limited work history

Count homeless

Count immigrants

Count refugees

Count veterans

Count female

Count Male

Count Any postsecondary education

Count With a high school diploma or GED

Count No high school diploma or GED

Count Married

Count Parents

Count Single Parents

Count Non-Custodial Parents

Count Employed

Count Self employed

Count Unemployed

Count Disconnected/discouraged workers

Count general low-income population

Count Very low income (as classified by the authors)

Count welfare population

Count long-term welfare recipients

Count Asian

Count Black or African American

Count Hispanic or Latino of any race

Count American Indian or Alaska Native

Count Pacific islander

Count White

Count White not Hispanic

Count More than one race

Count Unknown race

Count another race

Percent female

4.00

Percent Male

96.00

Percent With a high school diploma or GED

31.00

Percent Married

1.00

Percent Parents

100.00

Percent Employed

15.00

Percent Unemployed

85.00

Percent welfare population

100.00

Percent Black or African American

90.00

Percent Hispanic or Latino of any race

6.00

Percent White not Hispanic

0.00

Percent unknown race

4.00

Study Characteristics

Group formation formatted

This study is a randomized controlled trial. Participants were screened by County Assistant Office staff and referred to research staff. Research staff determined eligibility and received consent from participants. Eligible individuals were receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), had a 20 hour per week work requirement to receive benefits, and were the primary caregiver of one or more children younger than age 6. After consenting to participate, participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention conditions (partial or full) or the comparison condition. Recruitment and enrollment took place in June and July 2014. Participants completed baseline surveys and additional follow-up surveys every 3 months over a 15-month period. The research team administered surveys using Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview software. The baseline survey took 60 minutes to complete, and follow-up surveys took 30 minutes. The research team compensated participants with $25 for each completed survey.

Study timing formatted

The intervention was studied over a 15-month period between June 2014 and October 2015.

Implementing organization formatted

Drexel University

Treatment condition formatted

The Building Health and Wealth Network served TANF recipients who were caregivers to at least one child younger than age 6. Intervention group members were offered financial empowerment education, matched savings accounts, and trauma-informed peer support. Financial empowerment education involved 28 weekly three-hour classes focused on promoting self-sufficiency. Topics covered in the classes included saving for education, housing, entrepreneurial activities, retirement, improving credit, and reducing debt. The Network provided financial support by helping participants open a credit union savings account and then matching any contributions made by the participants during the program. The Network facilitated weekly peer support groups based on the Sanctuary Model. This model used a trauma-informed approach to help guide participants toward a more stable foundation. The curriculum focused on helping participants manage emotions, process loss, and develop goals in a safe and supportive space.

Comparison condition formatted

The comparison group consisted of TANF recipients who were caregivers to at least one child younger than age 6. Comparison group members received standard TANF programming. This included supervised job training and job search activities for 20 hours per week.

Mandatory services formatted

None

Setting details formatted

The study took place at three County Assistance Offices in South and in Southwest Philadelphia, PA.

Delivered by public or private entity?

Private

Secondary domains examined

Family behavioral health; Economic hardship

Citations/manuscripts

Earliest publication year

2016

Most recent publication year

2018

Manuscripts

28557

90045

SRG File Path

http://example.com

Check edits flag

Primary Service

Substance use disorder treatment and mental health services

Subgroup data - Hispanic