Examining the Link Between Immigrant Families’ Early Care and Education Attendance and Public Assistance Program Participation

• In Event: Language, Culture, and Citizenship: Global Education for Diverse Communities

Abstract

Research shows that early care and education (ECE) programs often connect families to services—however, the research on the topic is limited for immigrant populations. Using data from the 2014–2017 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP; N=746), this study examined (i) the link between immigrant families’ ECE program participation and the use of public assistance and community services and (ii) the moderating role of parents’ citizenship status. The results showed that attending an ECE program was associated with higher odds of subsequently receiving public assistance, but not community services. Parent citizenship status independently related to public assistance receipt, but its moderating role was not supported.

Authors

• Ekaterina Novikova, University of Delaware

• Rena Hallam, University of Delaware