Guaranteed Income for Parental Stress

Overseen By Judith L Perrigo, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Disqualifiers: Live outside Pomona, Over 4 years old, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

600 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Pomona Household Universal Grant (HUG) Program for reducing parental stress?

The HUGS/Abrazos program, similar in name and focus on family support, was well adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped reduce stress by providing community resources and support to families, suggesting that programs like Pomona HUG could also be effective in reducing parental stress. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Pomona HUG treatment differ from other treatments for parental stress?

The Pomona HUG treatment is unique because it provides a guaranteed income to parents, which is different from traditional treatments that might focus on education or psychological support. This financial support aims to reduce stress by alleviating economic pressures, which is not typically addressed by other parental stress interventions. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The City of Pomona is launching the Pomona Household Universal Grant (HUG) program in the Summer of 2024. Pomona HUG is a pilot project that will provide 250 parents/caregivers with children under 4 years old $500 a month for 18 months. Pomona's guaranteed income (GI) initiative provides relief for the most economically vulnerable households. The study will investigate the impacts of GI on financial security, material hardship, health and well-being, food security, social support, parenting, and childhood development. The intervention group will be compared to a control group of 350 parents/caregivers receiving only a nominal ($20) amount per month during the 18 month period.

Research Team

Judith L Perrigo, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Daniel Eisenberg, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Eligibility Criteria

The trial is for parents or caregivers with children under 4 years old living in Pomona. They must be economically vulnerable to qualify. The study excludes anyone not meeting these specific criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

Must meet at least one of the following qualifiers: Experienced negative impact due to the Covid-19 pandemic including: The participant or anyone in the participant's household experienced unemployment during the pandemic. The participant or anyone in the participant's household experienced increased food or housing insecurity during or as a result of the pandemic. Home address is located within a qualified census tract (QCT). Participant currently receiving any of the specified benefits. Household income is at or below 65% AMI (Area Median Income). In order to be approved for the program, the participant agrees to Informed Research Consent.

I am the parent or guardian of a child under 4 years old.

Must live in the City of Pomona

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals that do not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria listed above.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive either $500 or $20 per month for 18 months

18 months

Monthly disbursements

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as financial security and child well-being

6 months

Surveys and observations at 6 months post-intervention

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Pomona Household Universal Grant (HUG) Program

Trial Overview Pomona HUG program is testing the effects of providing $500 monthly for 18 months against a control group receiving $20 monthly, focusing on financial stability and family health outcomes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treated Group ($500 GI for 18 months) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Treated Group will receive $500 per month for 18 months (anticipated n=250)

Group II: Comparison Group ($20 GI for 18 months) Active Control 1 Intervention

Comparison Group will receive $20 per month for 18 months (anticipated n=350)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

City of Pomona

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

600+

FORWARD Platform

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

600+

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

7

Recruited

9,200+

Findings from Research

The Orion Video Home-Training Project, evaluated with 52 families facing parent-child interaction issues, showed significant improvements in positive communication compared to 64 control families, indicating its efficacy as a treatment alternative.

These communication gains were maintained for at least 6 months after the program ended, suggesting lasting benefits, although factors like family status and income influenced the degree of improvement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Video home training (the Orion project): a short-term preventive and treatment intervention for families with young children. Weiner, A., Kuppermintz, H., Guttmann, D.[2019]

The parent education program at the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic effectively increased participants' knowledge about alternatives to physical punishment and normal child development, based on assessments from 40 parents who completed pre- and posttests.

Over 200 parents engaged with the program, which utilized a videotape series to facilitate group discussions, leading to positive changes in attitudes towards children's misbehavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A videotape parent education program for abusive parents. Golub, JS., Espinosa, M., Damon, L., et al.[2019]

The Parent Aide Program at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles utilizes trained community members to support families affected by child abuse and neglect, acting as a bridge to essential resources and services.

These aides provide practical assistance, such as emergency transportation and babysitting, along with emotional support, which can help improve the well-being of both the children and their nonabusive parents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent aides: an intervention program in cases of child abuse and neglect. Press-Rigler, M., Kent, JT., Croot, P., et al.[2019]

The HUGS/Abrazos program effectively addressed the increased toxic stressors faced by pregnant women and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential support through patient navigation and behavioral health resources.

The program was widely adopted, with 392 families referred and a 79% follow-up rate, demonstrating its strong acceptance and potential for long-term impact on community health amidst ongoing challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation Evaluation of HUGS/Abrazos During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Program to Foster Resiliency in Pregnancy and Early Childhood. Liu, M., Simione, M., Perkins, ME., et al.[2022]

A study involving 79 mothers with infants under one year old showed significant improvements in both infant behavior and maternal mental health one month after participating in a residential early parenting program, with reductions in daily crying and maternal depression scores.

The program was well-received, with high participant satisfaction, indicating that this psycho-educational approach is an effective early intervention for addressing parenting challenges and supporting maternal mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The contribution of Australian residential early parenting centres to comprehensive mental health care for mothers of infants: evidence from a prospective study. Rowe, HJ., Fisher, JR.[2021]

Women experiencing poverty and intimate partner violence (IPV) face significant challenges with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as the limited cash benefits often lead to increased dependence on others and strain relationships.

The study suggests that enhancing TANF benefits, reducing stigma, and addressing racial disparities could improve women's wellbeing and potentially offer better protection against IPV, based on interviews with 13 women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Women's Lived Experiences with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): How TANF Can Better Support Women's Wellbeing and Reduce Intimate Partner Violence. Spencer, RA., Lemon, ED., Komro, KA., et al.[2022]

Parents who received or had received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reported higher levels of psychological distress, specifically depressive and anxiety symptoms, compared to those who never enrolled in TANF.

Employment was found to significantly reduce psychological distress among parents, while reliance on general assistance was linked to increased distress, highlighting the importance of job opportunities and support for mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of work requirements on the psychological well-being of TANF recipients. Cheng, TC.[2019]

Safety net programs play a crucial role in supporting families, particularly by providing essential resources and assistance.

These programs, combined with employment opportunities for parents, contribute significantly to improving the overall well-being of families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dramatic Drop in U.S. Childhood Poverty. [2022]

The SAFE pilot program demonstrated strong demand for mental health support among families of elementary students in Ontario, indicating its relevance beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants showed a high level of acceptance for the SAFE program, suggesting it could effectively address gaps in mental health services and provide valuable training for social work students.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Feasibility Study of the SAFE Pilot Program: A University-School Board Partnership in Ontario. Sanders, JE., Seale, A., Lewis, V., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Video home training (the Orion project): a short-term preventive and treatment intervention for families with young children. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A videotape parent education program for abusive parents. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent aides: an intervention program in cases of child abuse and neglect. [2019]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation Evaluation of HUGS/Abrazos During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Program to Foster Resiliency in Pregnancy and Early Childhood. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The contribution of Australian residential early parenting centres to comprehensive mental health care for mothers of infants: evidence from a prospective study. [2021]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Women's Lived Experiences with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): How TANF Can Better Support Women's Wellbeing and Reduce Intimate Partner Violence. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of work requirements on the psychological well-being of TANF recipients. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dramatic Drop in U.S. Childhood Poverty. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Feasibility Study of the SAFE Pilot Program: A University-School Board Partnership in Ontario. [2023]