Chapin Hall

2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Back: Findings From an Evaluation of Alameda County’s Guaranteed Income Pilot for Young People Who Aged Out of Extended Foster Care

NET (Nourish, Empower, Trust) Growth Movement, Alameda County Social Services Agency’s guaranteed income pilot, provided young adults who aged out of extended foster care with $1,000 per month plus optional supportive services for 24 months.  A formative evaluation of the pilot found that participants were faring better while they were receiving guaranteed income than they had been faring before the pilot began. Although some participants lost gains they had made once the monthly payments ended, they were still faring better than they had been faring before they began receiving guaranteed income.  

What We Did

Chapin Hall conducted a formative evaluation of Alameda County Social Services Agency’s guaranteed income pilot. The researchers analyzed survey data collected from participants, program data, and data from interviews with participants and program staff. The survey data captured participants’ well-being before, during, and after the pilot, the program data captured participants’ engagement in supportive services, and the interview data captured participant and staff experiences with the pilot.

What We Found

• Participants used the guaranteed income to stabilize their housing, pay bills, reduce debt, and pursue education or employment opportunities. They reported fewer economic hardships, less food insecurity, and improved mental health. 
• Engagement in optional supportive services was lower than expected. Some participants valued the case management and other services they received, but others did not receive consistent support. 
• Participants were motivated to save by the availability of matching funds.  
• After the monthly payments ended, many participants lost some of the gains they had made during the pilot, but most were still generally better off than they had before the pilot began. 

What It Means

Guaranteed income can provide critical support to young adults transitioning out of extended foster care. However, many young people need additional support to achieve self-sufficiency.  Future guaranteed income programs might consider requiring some minimal level of engagement in supportive services so that participants are better prepared for the end of the guaranteed income.  Additionally, matching funds can be effective at motivating savings, which can act as a financial cushion once the monthly payments stop.

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