Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study: Detroit

The National Institute for Child Health and Human Development's Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study is following a birth cohort of approximately 5000 children and their parents in 20 cities across the United States. Detroit was one of the participating cities (N=327). The cohort of families is comprised of unmarried parents and their children, along with a comparison group of married parents. Fragile refers to the fact these families have a higher risk of poverty and family termination than traditional families. Our study examined the Detroit data at baseline, one year and three years follow up. Among the research questions: what are the long-term consequences for parents, children and society of new welfare policies and changes in healthcare financing and delivery? Sixty-two percent of mothers were receiving Medicaid at baseline; 58% at year one; and 62% at year three. The mothers' self report of their child's health at year one and year three follow up, respectively, was as follows: excellent/very good- 85% (246), 90% (252); good/fair/poor- 15% (42), 10% (29). When mothers were grouped according to work status and TANF participation in year three, 83% (43) of mothers receiving TANF and not working reported their child's health to be excellent/very good while 94% (139) of mothers not receiving TANF and working reported their child's health to be excellent/very good. With SCHIP facing reauthorization in 2007, this presentation will address the findings in the context of dynamic public health policy and service delivery systems for this important population.