Ferndale

Researchers are evaluating the long-term effects of providing free contraceptives to mothers on the well-being of their children. This study builds on the Michigan Contraceptive Access Research and Evaluation Study M-CARES by examining children born before and after their mothers receive access to no-cost contraception. The trial focuses on mothers aged 18 to 35 years who are clients at Planned Parenthood clinics in Michigan and meet income requirements, particularly those who would otherwise pay out-of-pocket for contraceptive services. The study uses a randomized control trial design where mothers are assigned to one of two groups. In the experimental group, mothers receive a voucher covering the full cost of name-brand intrauterine devices IUDs for a 100-day period, while the control group receives the usual Planned Parenthood care priced on a sliding scale. The intervention period varied, with vouchers covering 50% of IUD costs given from August 2018 to March 2019, and vouchers covering 100% of costs from March 2019 onward. Participants complete a two-part baseline survey and consent to two follow-up interviews in the following years. Mothers also agree to link their own and their childrens administrative records from health, education, criminal justice, and tax databases to assess childrens well-being and development up to age 18. Primary outcomes include the number of siblings born after enrollment and childrens standardized achievement test scores measured at 1, 3, and 5 years post-enrollment. The study compares children of mothers who received the intervention with those who did not.