The Role of Cash Transfers in Child and Family Safety and Well-Being

Session Submission Type: Late-Breaking Roundtable

Abstract

Interest in cash transfers, both conditional and unconditional, has grown substantially in the last decade, with over 100 studies of income transfers in the U.S. alone since 2020 (Bogle, 2024). Cash has been proposed as a potential solution to a variety of social needs and problems, including reducing food and housing insecurity and incarceration, and improving child development, educational engagement, and health outcomes (Lowrey, 2025). Furthermore, cash transfers are being tested with many specific populations or groups, such as families considered to be at high risk for child maltreatment, women experiencing intimate partner violence, young adults transitioning out of the foster care system, and low-income fathers (Lowrey, 2025). 

 

Two ongoing research projects are exploring the impacts of unconditional cash transfers for children and families – Rx Kids in Michigan and the Empower Parenting with Resources (EmPwR) study in Illinois. Rx Kids is testing and evaluating cash as a universal prevention model, providing $1,500 to pregnant parents participating in the study, and $500 a month for 6 or 12 months to parents participating after a baby’s birth. Rx Kids is assessing whether cash transfers improve child and maternal health, well-being, and access to basic necessities in participating communities. The EmPwR study is a randomized controlled trial of cash transfers for families with low-risk child maltreatment cases in the Illinois child welfare system. EmPwR provides an average of $500 a month for 12 months to treatment group families to examine how cash transfers may improve child and family well-being and reduce future child maltreatment risk and child welfare system contact.  

 

This roundtable discussion will feature principal investigators William Schneider (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) from the EmPwR Study, and Luke Shaefer (University of Michigan) from Rx Kids. Two child and family welfare and poverty experts, Margaret Thomas (University of Chicago) and Clark Peters (University of Missouri), will also participate to bring perspectives beyond the two studies. These four speakers offer varied professional and institutional backgrounds, and unique perspectives on cash transfer programs and research. The session will cover (1) the potential of cash transfer programs in the context of child and family welfare, (2) the process of conducting and disseminating research in the context of current public discourse around cash transfers, and (3) the limitations and strengths of cash transfer programs and studies. The conversation will begin with a prepared roundtable discussion led by the moderator, and then an open audience Q&A. We invite attendees to join the conversation, ask questions, and help advance the understanding and future development of cash transfer programs for families and children.

Policy Area

• Family and Child Policy

Secondary Policy Area

• Poverty and Income Policy

Moderator

• Melanie L Nadon, Wayne State University

Organizer

• Melanie L Nadon, Wayne State University

Speakers

• Will Joseph Schneider, University of Illinois

• H. Luke Shaefer, University of Michigan

• Margaret M. C. Thomas, The University of Chicago