Local Initiative: Family Independence Initiative (FII)

• • FII is a community-based program that provides direct cash assistance to low-income families, coupled with social capital building and goal-setting support.
  • Launched in 2001 in Oakland, California, FII has since expanded to several other cities across the U.S.
  • Impact: Participating families have reported significant increases in income, savings, and educational attainment, demonstrating the effectiveness of direct cash transfers and community support in promoting family stability and upward mobility.
  • Lesson Learned: Empowering families with financial resources and social support can lead to long-term positive outcomes and break the cycle of poverty.

State Program: Minnesota Early Learning Scholarships

• • Introduced in 2011, this program provides scholarships to low-income families to access high-quality early childhood education programs.
  • The scholarships are awarded directly to families, allowing them to choose the program that best fits their needs.
  • Impact: Studies have shown that children participating in the program have better school readiness outcomes and are more likely to enroll in high-quality early learning programs.
  • Lesson Learned: Providing targeted financial assistance to families can increase access to quality early childhood education, promoting better long-term outcomes for children.

State Program: Paid Family Leave in California

• • In 2002, California became the first state in the U.S. to introduce paid family leave, providing partial wage replacement for workers taking time off to care for a new child or seriously ill family member.
  • The program is funded through employee payroll contributions and administered through the state’s disability insurance program.
  • Impact: Studies have shown that California’s paid family leave program has increased leave-taking among parents, particularly fathers, and has improved job continuity and income stability for caregivers.
  • Lesson Learned: Providing paid family leave can support family well-being and promote gender equality in caregiving responsibilities.

Federal Program: Head Start

• • Launched in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood education program that serves low-income children and their families.
  • Services include early learning, health and nutrition support, and family engagement and support services.
  • Impact: Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of Head Start on children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and health outcomes, as well as on parental involvement and family well-being.
  • Lesson Learned: Investing in comprehensive early childhood education and family support services can have long-lasting benefits for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Federal Program: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

• • The EITC, introduced in 1975, is a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families.
  • The credit amount is based on income and family size, with larger credits available to families with children.
  • Impact: The EITC has been shown to increase labor force participation, reduce poverty, and improve health and educational outcomes for children in recipient families.
  • Lesson Learned: Providing targeted financial support to working families through the tax system can effectively reduce poverty and support family well-being.

State Program: New Mexico Child Care Assistance Program

• • New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program provides subsidies to low-income families to help cover the cost of childcare while parents work, attend school, or participate in job training.
  • The program serves children from birth to age 13 and has a tiered reimbursement system that incentivizes providers to improve their quality of care.
  • Impact: The program has been shown to increase access to child care for low-income families, support parental employment, and improve the quality of child care providers in the state.
  • Lesson Learned: Providing child care subsidies tied to quality improvement can support both family economic stability and child well-being.

Local Initiative: Baltimore’s B’more for Healthy Babies (BHB)

• • BHB is a citywide initiative to reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • The program provides a range of services, including prenatal care, home visiting, safe sleep education, and family support services.
  • Impact: Since its launch in 2009, BHB has contributed to a significant reduction in Baltimore’s infant mortality rate and has improved access to prenatal care and other supportive services for families.
  • Lesson Learned: A comprehensive, multi-sector approach to maternal and infant health can effectively address disparities and improve outcomes for families.

State Program: Oklahoma’s Universal Pre-K Program

• • Oklahoma has offered universal, voluntary pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds in the state since 1998.
  • The program is offered through a mixed-delivery system that includes public schools, Head Start centers, and private child care providers.
  • Impact: Studies have shown that Oklahoma’s universal pre-K program has improved school readiness, narrowed achievement gaps, and produced long-term benefits such as higher test scores and lower rates of grade retention.
  • Lesson Learned: Investing in high-quality, universal early childhood education can have significant, long-lasting benefits for children and families.

Federal Program: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program

• • The MIECHV program, established in 2010, provides federal funding to states, territories, and tribal entities to support evidence-based home visiting services for at-risk families.
  • Home visiting programs provide families with education, support, and linkages to community resources during pregnancy and early childhood.
  • Impact: Evaluations of MIECHV-funded programs have shown positive impacts on maternal and child health, child development, school readiness, and family economic self-sufficiency.
  • Lesson Learned: Evidence-based home visiting programs can effectively support families and promote positive outcomes for children in vulnerable populations.

These case studies showcase a range of successful family policies implemented at various levels of governance within the United States, from local initiatives to state and federal programs. They demonstrate the effectiveness of approaches such as direct cash assistance, early childhood education support, paid family leave, comprehensive early childhood development, and targeted tax credits in supporting families and promoting positive outcomes for children. The lessons learned from these examples highlight the importance of empowerment, targeted support, comprehensive services, and financial assistance in designing and implementing effective family policies.

Appendix E: Resources for Further Reading and Research