What would help low-income families? Results from a North American survey of 2-1-1 helpline professionals. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Tess; Roux, Anne M; Kohl, Patricia L; Boyum, Sonia; Kreuter, Matthew W
• Is Part Of: Journal of child health care. Volume 22:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 670
• Page End: 683
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Child health -- family health -- health -- health disparities -- life course health development -- low income; Pediatric nursing -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Child health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 618.9200231
• DOI: 10.1177/1367493518777152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-4935

Abstract

Almost half of young American children live in low-income families, many with unmet needs that negatively impact health and life outcomes. Understanding which needs, proactively addressed, would most improve their lives would allow maternal and child health practitioners and social service providers to generate collaborative solutions with the potential to affect health in childhood and throughout the life course. 2-1-1 referral helplines respond to over 16 million inquiries annually, including millions of low-income parents seeking resources. Because 2-1-1 staff members understand the availability of community resources, we conducted an online survey to determine which solutions staff believed held most potential to improve the lives of children in low-income families. Information and referral specialists, resource managers, and call center directors ( N = 471) from 44 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada ranked the needs of 2-1-1 callers with children based on which needs, if addressed, would help families most. Childcare (32%), parenting (29%), and child health/health care (23%) were rated most important. Across all childcare dimensions (e.g. quality affordable care, special needs care), over half of the respondents rated community resources inadequate . Findings will help practitioners develop screeners for needs assessment, prioritize resource referrals, and advocate for community resource development.