Family Income for Empowerment Program

About

In partnership with the County of San Diego Child Welfare Services Department (CWS), the Family Income for Empowerment Program (FIEP) will give 485 families with children under 18 referred by CWS unrestricted monthly cash support of $500 for 24 months. This program will look at how direct, “no strings attached” economic support impacts well-being and strengthens families.

Please note: referrals must come directly from Child Welfare Services. No outside referrals will be accepted.

Evaluation

Led by the County of San Diego Office of Evaluation, Performance, and Analytics (OEPA), evaluation of this program will focus on how direct cash assistance impacts the well-being of families with children at-risk of entry to foster care, who are directly referred by Child Welfare Services (CWS). Eligible families will reside in San Diego County and will have at least one child in the household under 18 years old at the time of application to the program. Residents of the 39 Health Equity ZIP codes and families who are unhoused will be prioritized in the lottery to be randomly selected to receive the cash payments. All eligible families who apply will be connected to optional supportive services and community resources. Program evaluation and future research will help inform systems change toward prevention and economic support to strengthen child and family well-being as an alternative to traditional Child Welfare Services intervention.