The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced an additional $8.2 million for the first federally funded diaper distribution program for low-income families.
The Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot, with the assistance of the Administration of Children and Families, will add six additional states and one Tribe to the recipient list to address widespread diaper need, according to a May 2 news release. This brings the total project funding to $16.2 million to assist 12 states and two Tribes.
"Parents and caregivers need support when caring for a little one, and these grants will lower financial burden and anxieties at an important time in their lives," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the news release. "HHS believes the Diaper Distribution Pilot fulfills a critical need for families and communities, and we are looking forward to expanding the program to serve additional communities in these new states and Tribes.”
The expanded program now serves low income families in Alabama, Arizona, California, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation and the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency in Washington state, the release reported.
Diapers are distributed through existing community action agencies, social service agencies and local diaper banks to address diaper needs and accelerate access to concrete supports for those participating families, according to the release.
"One in three families in the United States do not have enough diapers to meet the needs of their babies and toddlers," ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras said in the release. "Every family should have the resources to ensure they can maintain the health of their children without sacrificing their financial stability, and this program does exactly that."
According to the release, diapers can cost 8% of a person's income if they receive the minimum wage.
"Support for diapers and diapering supplies has been found to reduce economic stress, increase workforce participation, increase family income and improve both children and caregivers’ health and wellbeing," the release reported.
