Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP)
The Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP) is a guaranteed income pilot run by Sacramento County's Department of Child, Family and Adult Services - Child Protective Services (DCFAS-CPS), implemented by United Way California Capital Region, providing 200 randomly selected parents/legal guardians of Black/African American and/or American Indian/Alaska Native children ages 0-5 in six targeted Sacramento zip codes with $725/month for 12 months. It is funded primarily through a California Department of Social Services Family First Prevention Services Act state block grant, with some private funding. MEF Associates serves as the independent evaluation partner, studying how guaranteed income affects family well-being and child welfare system involvement (CPS contact, allegations, substantiations, investigations, and foster care entry). Disbursements began in 2025 and concluded in May 2026.
Guaranteed Income, Child Welfare, Child Protective Services, Race-Targeted Eligibility, Black/African American Families, American Indian/Alaska Native Families, Foster Care Prevention, Sacramento
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) - Child Protective Services
- City
- Sacramento
- State / Province
- California
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://dcfas.saccounty.gov/
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 200
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 8,700 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 725 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct deposit to bank account, Re-loadable debit card
- Benefit details
200 randomly selected participants receive $725 per month for 12 months (total of $8,700), with no restrictions on how funds are spent. Participants also have access to supportive services including referrals to community-based organizations, one-on-one financial coaching, and monthly financial webinars/peer support groups. Payments began in 2025 and disbursements concluded around May 2026.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicants must be a parent or legal guardian of a Black/African American and/or American Indian/Alaska Native child ages 0-5 who resides with them at least 50% of the time, living full-time in one of six Sacramento County zip codes: 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, or 95838. Annual household income must be under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (e.g., under $62,400 for a household of 4). Applicants cannot be concurrently enrolled in another guaranteed income program. Selection is by random lottery among eligible applicants, and a baseline survey is mandatory for participation.
Demographics
- Race / ethnicity targets
- Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native (targeting caregivers of children of these races/ethnicities, reflecting documented racial disparities in Sacramento County CPS involvement)
Family
- Family Status
- Parent
- Number of dependents (minimum)
- 1
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $62,400
Geography
- US states covered
- California
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Sacramento
- Counties covered
- Sacramento
- ZIP / postal codes covered
- 95815, 95821, 95823, 95825, 95828, 95838
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Sacramento County DCFAS-CPS contracted MEF Associates as the independent evaluation partner (United Way California Capital Region is the implementation partner). The evaluation uses longitudinal qualitative interviews, a mandatory baseline/eligibility survey, voluntary bi-monthly 'snapshot' surveys, administrative data analysis (linking to DCFAS/CPS and other agency records), and collaborative filmmaking. The study specifically assesses child welfare system outcomes -- CPS contact, allegations, substantiations, investigations, and foster care entry -- in addition to standard family financial/well-being measures, and was reviewed/approved by an Independent Review Board (IRB).
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications were submitted online through the program's application portal (linked via Sacramento County DCFAS and the FFESP program site); a first application round was followed by a reopened/broadened application period starting April 14, 2025. Applications required documentation to verify eligibility (identity, residency, income, and caregiver relationship to an eligible child). Applications are now closed as the 12-month disbursement period concluded in May 2026.
- Selection process
200 participants were randomly selected by lottery from the pool of eligible applicants across both application rounds; United Way California Capital Region contacted selected applicants to verify eligibility and enroll them.
