The EmPwR study is the largest study of the causal impact of monthly, unconditional cash gifts on involvement with the child welfare system. The study will identify whether reducing economic hardship can improve child and family wellbeing and reduce child maltreatment and involvement in the child welfare system in Illinois. The study is a collaboration between Brightpoint, the University of Illinois, the University of Connecticut, and Rutgers University. It is funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the William T. Grant Foundation, and the Doris Duke Foundation.
800 families who are mandated or referred to receive voluntary services from Brightpoint by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will be randomly selected to receive a monthly unconditional cash gift for 12 months. The monthly cash gift will be scaled by family size and families local cost of living. Families eligible for EmPwR are receiving Intact Family Services, services designed for families where children are able to remain in the home while services are received. Researchers will draw on administrative data to assess the effect of the monthly cash gifts 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomization.
800 families who are mandated or referred to receive voluntary services from Brightpoint by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will be randomly selected to receive a monthly unconditional cash gift for 12 months. The monthly cash gift will be scaled by family size and families local cost of living. Families eligible for EmPwR are receiving Intact Family Services, services designed for families where children are able to remain in the home while services are received. Researchers will draw on administrative data to assess the effect of the monthly cash gifts 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomization.
A companion qualitative study is being conducted |
A companion survey study is being conducted |
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A sub-sample of families and caseworkers will participate in semi-structured interviews over the course of the study to understand their experiences of the cash gifts, how the cash gifts are used, and the effect they have on child and family wellbeing.
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A sub-sample of families will participate in a series of surveys over the course of the study to understand the effects of the cash gifts on child and family wellbeing and the mechanisms through which cash gifts effect child maltreatment.
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Affiliated Institutions
