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Needs Assessment for Single Mother Households in Public Housing

Sherri Jenkins

CUR/528

January 22, 2018

Professor Siddeeqah Johnson

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Needs Assessment for Single Mother Households in Public Housing

Literature Review

According to the U.S Census Bureau (2016), single mother headed household’s account for

23% of the total population. Many fall below the low to moderate socio-economic threshold. By

all accounts, this number is significant when this figure is cross referenced with savings

behavior, attitudes towards money, credit ratings, child outcomes, and the overall financial health

of the family. On average, single-family homes earn significantly less than two parent

households (Aurora University, 2016). In 2012, Legal Momentum reported an income of

$25,493 for single mother families or a minimal 31% of a two-parent home where the average

income was $81,455 (para. 9). Unfavorable consequences abound for this trending shift in the

familial dynamics. The parent has the stressor of providing financially for the families as well as

maintaining all aspects of their lives and this can have a negative impact on the children and

ancillary relationships and responsibilities of the parent. Moreover, the Heritage Foundation

provides stats that argue that children who are reared in single-family homes are:

1. “More than twice as likely to be arrested for a juvenile crime;

2. Twice as likely to receive treatment for behavioral and emotional problems;

3. Approximately twice as likely to be expelled or suspended from school; and

4. A third more likely to drop out of high school” (The Heritage Foundation as cited in

Aurora University, 2016, para. 10).

With the additional burden of the appearance of having less than their peers or groups from

other cultures can contribute to feelings of hopelessness that create a domino affect throughout

the family. An intervention to introduce some relevant financial management strategies and tips

can potentially serve to elevate the mother’s efficacy and ultimately strengthen the family.
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Assessment Goals

1. To determine if a correlation between financial literacy and management affect child

outcomes

2. To determine the impact of financial education on the efficacy of the mother to

effectively provide for her family

3. To uncover the need to offer the program regularly or periodically

4. To understand the impact of being a single parent earning minimal income

5. To document usefulness of material

Necessity

The research supports the idea of the affects of a single parent household from an income

perspective on the behavior of the youth and also the influence it has on the parent and the

overall function of the family. Managing the finances of the family can be challenging with two

parents. It is understandingly even more challenging with one at the helm. This assessment is

necessarily to intervene and potentially redirect the negative decline in the familial structure.

Excepted Outcomes

The alignment with the stated goals and the expected outcomes is deliberate. The

researchers leading this assessment have over 25 years of financial management experience

specializing in both consumer and commercial clients. Understanding how to increase the

outcomes of the single-family outcomes forma financial perspective is the overarching theme

and goal of this research. Hopefully, the results will prompt policy makers to invest resources

into training these households because of the potential good it can effect on society. A healthy

family is a contributing family.

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Target Population and Budget

The target population is a cross-section of single African-American mothers between the

ages of 17-39 who live in public housing in Columbia; SC. Participants will draw from housing

units in zip codes 29203, 29204, and 29210. The mother can be employed and can be receiving

public assistance to include Medicaid and/or SNAP benefits. At least one child must live in the

home at the time of the intervention. The parent is the only participant in the formal stage of the

assessment.

The proposed budget for this assessment is $13,000. Participants will receive $25 for an

hour of their time. Three hundred participants is the goal and the remainder of the funds will be

used for gas, food, and materials for the six trainers (2 at each site).

Relevant Data

This assessment is tied directly to the perceived outcomes of the participants. The

questions that will be asked will prompt for specific data that helps inform the content of the

proposed financial management training. Thus, the questions require responses that will let the

research team know if the participants will find the information germane to strengthening their

financial acumen and ultimately their home life. More than likely, the participants will not be as

savvy in financial management and thus all information related to their understanding of how to

manage their money or to save is relevant and necessary to build a comprehensive training

assessment to present to policy makers and to help them to better manage their households. That

is the ultimate goal. Gleaning and understanding of what is needed to better position the African-

American family to be successful is the goal. So, while there is good information already out in

the research world, relevant information, the focus of this assessment is to understand how to

help these mothers get a better handle on their finances. The research shares that a problem exists
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(see Literature Review) and this research is poised to further understand what interventions are

needed.

Data Collection and Instrumentation

While a quantitative study is seemingly easier and cleaner, the nature of this inquire

requires a more of a pragmatic approach. Studies that require feelings and input related to

outcomes need a qualitative tone to truly capture the raw emotions of the participants. Thus, a

mixed model approach is most approach for this inquiry.

A ten-question assessment will be administrated that inquires about the financial

management behavior of the participants. The assessment will include multiple choice and short

answer formatting. Questions related to the participants’ savings behavior, spending habits,

income tax preparation strategies, checking account usage, and any items related to credit

facilities such as loans or credit cards would be asked. Participants will also be asked about their

perceived usefulness of the training. The interviewer at the respective sites will administer and

collect the surveys and pay the participants once they submit a completed survey and provide

their contact information.

Mindmeister Link

The following link provides access to the Mindmeister link that reviews the

instrumentation (questionnaire) for the Needs Assessment. Depending on your browser, you may

have to cut and paste it into your browser: https://mm.tt/1024498705?t=D83vQZND64.

Reflection

The utility of providing financial management training to African-American (AA)

mothers cannot be marginalized. The impact on the AA family depends on sincere intervention

and not just political motivation. This research aims to address this need and to capture the
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attention of folks that really care about saving our children and that can affect policy changes

that really make a difference.

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References

Aurora University. (2016). The rise of single parent households: effects, risks and available

assistance. Retrieved from http://online.aurora.edu/single-parent-households/

Legal Momentum. (2012). Single parenthood in the United States: A snapshot. Retrieved from

https://www.legalmomentum.org/sites/default/files/reports/SingleParentSnapshot2014.pd

Suskie L., & Banta, T. W. (2009). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide (2nd ed.).

Retrieved from https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781118722121

U.S. Census Bureau. (2016). The majority of children live with two parents, census bureau

reports. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2016/cb16-

192.html