Pathway to Income Equity Pilot Program Results
Overview of the Pathway to Income Equity Pilot Program
The Pathway to Income Equity pilot program, led by First 5 Sonoma County, aimed to alleviate financial stress for families with young children in Sonoma County. This initiative provided 305 families, including 50 in Healdsburg, with $500 per month for 24 months in unrestricted funds. Eligible participants were selected through a lottery from over 6,000 applicants and included pregnant individuals or households with children under six living at or below 185% of the federal poverty line. Nearly all (98%) of caregivers had experienced either a job loss or loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for this program came from the County of Sonoma, the cities of Healdsburg, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa via American Rescue Plan Act dollars, along with private investments from Corazón Healdsburg and others.
Corazón Healdsburg's Contributions
In addition to the significant financial contribution to the program by Corazón, our team also played a crucial role in outreach efforts during the application process. This included connecting with potential participants, providing support and information, and ensuring that low-income families were aware of and able to access the program.
Impact
To measure the program's impact, Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) conducted both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Sergio Martinez from SPR and Angie Dillon-Shore from First 5 Sonoma County recently presented their findings to Corazón’s board. The evaluation focuses on understanding how guaranteed income affects family functioning, child development, mental health and financial stability
Key Findings
1. Improved Financial Stability: Families were better able to consistently afford daily necessities such as food, rent and utilities.
Many caregivers used funds to purchase healthier groceries like fresh vegetables and fruits.
Participants paid down debt and saved for the future.
Reliable transportation allowed caregivers to maintain steady employment, visit family more often and take children to appointments.
Housing stability improved as fewer participants reported frequent moves.
2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Caregivers experienced less stress and anxiety during the program.
Participants engaged in health-promoting activities such as scheduling doctor’s appointments and eating healthier foods.
3. Greater Control Over Time: Caregivers maintained higher employment rates while average hours worked remained consistent; many took part-time or temporary jobs.
Participants spent more time with their children and pursued educational goals or self-care activities.
Funds enabled caregivers to enjoy hobbies, invest in personal development, and engage in enriching experiences.
4. Enriched Family Experiences: Caregivers provided nutritious meals for their children and felt more confident addressing medical needs or emergencies.
Families enjoyed quality time together through activities like visiting local parks, registering children for classes, and celebrating special occasions such as Christmas.
5. Lingering Financial Worries as Pilot Program Concludes
As the program neared its end, caregivers expressed anxiety about their financial future. Many reported a decrease in financial well-being due to the impending conclusion of guaranteed payments.
Conclusion
The Pathway to Income Equity pilot program demonstrates how targeted interventions can create profound ripple effects in the lives of families and our broader community. Poverty is not just about a lack of money—it is a cycle that impacts every aspect of life, from health and education to housing stability and emotional well-being.
At Corazón Healdsburg, we recognize the real cost of poverty—not just in dollars but in lost opportunities, diminished health outcomes and generational cycles of inequity. Programs like Pathway to Income Equity prove that even modest interventions can disrupt these cycles and empower families to thrive.
