Assessment Of A Health System-Integrated Children's Savings Account and Financial Coaching Program Serving Low-Income Moms and Babies in Texas.

Abstract

Families living in poverty with young children are particularly vulnerable to poor health outcomes. This study used a randomized controlled trial to analyze the impact of Early Bird (EB), a novel health system-integrated program that provided financial incentives to low-income mothers for achieving healthy milestones. Participants randomized to the EB condition received contributions in a tax-advantaged children's savings account (CSA) for attending a maternal six-week postpartum check-up ($25), a pediatric dental visit by age 12 months ($75), six well-check visits by age 15 months ($75), two financial coaching sessions ($30), and enrolling in the EB program and opening a CSA ($250). We found that Early Bird increased the likelihood that mothers attended a financial coaching session. We found no evidence of an increase in the likelihood of completing any of the medical milestones. Future work should examine whether larger contributions to CSAs might incentivize mothers to achieve the medical milestones.