Pathway to Income Equity
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for almost everyone, but some members of our Sonoma County community were far more vulnerable and proven far more likely to suffer negative health and/or economic impacts. With the dual cost burdens of housing and child care in one of the most expensive areas to live in our state, more than half of Sonoma County families with children under 5 years old chronically struggle to make ends meet.
The Sonoma County Pathway to Income Equity pilot is based on the simple idea that the best investments we can make are in lifting up the most marginalized members of our community, and especially the very youngest, because the greatest opportunity to ensure children succeed in school and life is during the first five years of life. In February 2023, we began giving 305 families with very young children a guaranteed income of $500/month, continuing for 24 months. This income is unconditional, meaning there are no strings attached; parents decide how best to use the cash. The PIE guaranteed income pilot aspires to prove to supporters and skeptics alike that poverty results from a lack of cash, not character.
"A guaranteed income for parents impacts the whole family, disrupting the cycle of intergenerational poverty by simultaneously helping parents build financial security and providing children the resources and stable environment they need to flourish."
~Angie Dillon-Shore
Executive Director, First 5 Sonoma County
$500
per month
305
Sonoma County Families
24
months
PILOT PARTICIPANTS
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NOTE: "HDI" in the above map legend stands for Human Development Index, as referenced and described in the 2021 Portrait of Sonoma County Update.
PROJECT TIMELINE
2020-2021
The global COVID-19 pandemic's health and economic impacts are felt by all in Sonoma County, yet deep racial disparities in health, education and income are worsened and access to prevention, treatment and supports is inequitable.
Spring 2022
Federal American Rescue Plan & Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (ARPA) funding is allocated by Sonoma County and City governments of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg & Petaluma. First 5 Sonoma applies on behalf of a coalition of organizations and is funding as lead agency for the proposed guaranteed income pilot.
Fall 2022
First 5 Sonoma and nine community-based organizations work together to conduct countywide outreach to reach the most marginalized pregnant and parenting families with young children. Application assistance and a user-friendly online portal designed to decrease barriers results in over 2,000 eligible applicants.
January 2023
PIE receives a waiver from CA Dept. of Social Services to exempt guaranteed income payments from participant benefits eligibility. Applicants , 305 families in total, are randomly selected and eligibility verified. Fund for Guaranteed Income onboards participants onto the PIE payment platform. All receive benefits counseling to ensure that eligibility for public benefits are not impacted.
February 2023
Each of the 305 families receive their first monthly guaranteed income payment, to continue through December, 2024. Participants are asked to complete a voluntary pre-survey and interviews to establish baseline measures in order to understand the impact of monthly guaranteed income over time.
January 2024
Early findings from interviews with 36 of the 305 families reflect progress in achieving economic stability by reducing debt, increasing savings and increasing paying for everyday basic needs: healthy food, housing, utilities and transportation to work.
2024-2025
Visit the PIE site in the future for ongoing project updates, participant stories, impact reports and policy resources!