CONNECTING FAMILIES: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Primary Care Poverty Screening and Financial Support Navigation for Families of Young Children

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the impact of poverty on parenting stress and children's health, focusing on families with young children in primary care settings. This trial evaluates whether assistance from a Community Support Worker (CSW), who helps families navigate social services and access income supports, can increase family income, reduce parenting stress, and improve child health. The study is a randomized controlled trial conducted within the TARGet Kids! primary care network in Toronto and Kingston, aiming to provide evidence on integrating health and social services to support families living in poverty. Families with children under 3 years who report difficulty making ends meet will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group receives a structured review of income supports and social needs from a trained CSW, who assists with applying for benefits and resources related to food, housing, medication, and more. Visits occur in person, by phone, or video call according to preference. The comparison group receives usual care, including a written summary of available resources. Participants will be followed for at least 6 months, during which researchers will measure parenting stress using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, household income, food security, parent mental health, child development, social and behavioral health, and health care use. Data collection occurs at 6 and 12 months after enrollment to assess the intervention's effects. The study involves multiple assessments, including questionnaires and monitoring of health care utilization, aiming to understand the benefits of social support navigation on family wellbeing.

Connecting Families