Introducing Family Health Project

Almost 1 in 5 children in America live in families with incomes below the poverty line. Growing up in poverty increases exposure to factors that can significantly impair child brain development and lead to poor health outcomes.

Family Health Project has undertaken a simple, replicable program to help new mothers and their babies facing life without enough money. Family Health Project provides new mothers with $400 per month for 36 months without condition.

Poverty is unacceptable. Direct giving is one scalable solution.

How the Program Works

Modeled after the pathbreaking study, Baby’s First Years, Family Health Project has four elements:

• Referrals: A Federally Qualified Health Center refers participants to us,
• Money transfer: $400 is sent to mothers via a debit card every month,
• Support: Ongoing support is provided to moms,
• Funding: The project is funded solely by gifts from individuals.

Direct Giving Pilots

Family Health Project currently operates two direct giving pilots, with 15 families participating in each. The first pilot launched in Lynn, Massachusetts in May of 2021 in collaboration with Lynn Community Health Center. The second pilot launched six months later in Roxbury, Massachusetts in association with Whittier Street Health Center.