In recent years, the issue of diaper need has gained increasing attention as a critical concern for families with young children. The cost of diapers, a basic necessity, can be an overwhelming financial burden, especially for low-income households. A 2020 study revealed that one in three U.S. families struggles to afford diapers. This can lead to stress, health issues, and barriers to childcare access, as most daycare facilities require parents to provide disposable diapers. To tackle this issue, California launched the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot Program (DDDRP), a statewide initiative aimed at providing free diapers to low-income families while also collecting research data to inform future policy decisions, in addition to alternative programs to the DDDRP.
What is the DDDRP?
The Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot Program (DDDRP) was created by the Office of Community Services (OCS,) under the Office of Administration for Children and Families (ACF,) as part of a nationwide effort to address poverty and support families in need. The DDDRP is not only focused on meeting an immediate need but also aims to study the long-term effects of providing consistent diaper access on family well-being. The pilot includes research on how diaper assistance impacts financial stability, child development, and parental stress levels. The findings will be used to influence future public policies across the country and possibly beyond. Grant recipients partner with community-based organizations to leverage existing resources and provide support services that increase economic mobility for families experiencing diaper needs.
California Community Action Network’s Response
The California Community Action Network has been at the forefront of responding to diaper needs in communities across the state. The California Community Action Partnership Association (CalCAPA), existing to support Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Eligible Entities to strengthen communities and enforce a unified Community Action presence in California, is dedicated to fighting poverty by providing essential resources, services, and advocacy. With a history of mobilizing support for vulnerable populations, the California Community Action Network (CalCAN) uses the DDDRP as an opportunity to expand its impact and address a pressing issue affecting families.
Establishing Distribution Channels
California Community Action Agencies member organizations are already embedded in local communities, providing a network of trusted locations where families can access services. Through these partnerships, the CalCAN has facilitated diaper distribution events, ensuring families in urban, suburban, and rural areas can participate in the program. With wraparound services already in place, diaper distribution was seamlessly integrated and served as an entry point for families to access additional support services, addressing immediate and long-term needs.
Partnering with Local Organizations
Awarded $1.2 million under the DDDRP, CalCAPA partnered with the National Diaper Bank Network and the following local agencies to bring diaper relief to families in California to help scale the DDDRP: Urban Services YMCA, Sonoma Community Action Network, Merced County Community Action Agency, Community Action Partnership of Kern, and Supply Bank.
These subgrantees have allowed for diaper distribution at multiple locations throughout the state, ensuring that families who are unable to travel long distances still have access to this vital resource. By leveraging these partnerships, CalCAN has extended the reach of the program to serve a more diverse and widespread population, from the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco to underserved rural communities in the Central Valley.
In May 2020, the Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) launched Orange County’s first official Diaper Bank, where there are only 5 in the state of California. More than 5 million diapers have been distributed to low-income families to date. The launch of this diaper bank came at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic where families in need were struggling to make ends meet and provide necessities, such as diapers, for their children.
In the Fall of 2020, the University of California Irvine (UCI) partnered with CAP OC to bring student parents a monthly supplement of diapers or pull-ups.
CAP OC President and CEO Gregory Scott shares,
“We partner with more than 80 distribution sites that help us distribute 600,000 diapers monthly to nearly 10,000 children in the community. Since its inception, the OC Diaper Bank has distributed more than 47 million diapers to children throughout Orange County.
With the cost of diapers reaching upwards of $80-$100 per month, per child, these diapers we provide significantly improve a family’s monthly budget, especially those who are already struggling to make ends meet.”
Strong partnerships with local organizations are vital to maximizing reach to families in need.
Advocacy and Awareness
Beyond distribution, the DDDRP serves a proactive role in advocating for policies that address diaper need on a broader scale. The DDDRP provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the costs associated with basic childcare needs, which are often overlooked in discussions about poverty and financial hardship. Through targeted campaigns, public outreach, and collaboration with lawmakers, CalCAN continues to push for lasting solutions to support families with young children.
CalCAN has also worked to educate the public and policymakers about diaper need through research findings from the DDDRP. By emphasizing the connection between diaper assistance and improved outcomes in family stress, child health, and economic stability, CalCAN has been able to effectively lobby for broader support and continued funding for the program.
Holistic Support for Families
Diaper needs are often just one of many challenges faced by low-income families. CalCAN’s approach has been to offer a more holistic suite of services alongside diaper distribution, including access to food, employment assistance, housing support, and financial literacy programs. By offering comprehensive support, families are better equipped to address the root causes of poverty while benefiting from immediate resources like diapers.
Since its launch, California’s subgrantees have distributed 1,250 families– which turned into 406 families receiving food assistance, 125 families receiving clothing assistance, 81 families receiving housing assistance, 71 families receiving employment services and/or adult education, and 78 families receiving early childhood education/childcare assistance.
In Merced County, a mother, aged 30, received monthly diapers since then for her daughter. During a visit with her case manager, she asked for information on transportation services. Her case manager referred her to Valley Air, a program which helps low-income Californians obtain new, reliable, and environmentally friendly cars. She said, “After receiving information on the Valley Air purpose, I gathered all the required documents and submitted it to a Valley Air representative. After being approved, I was directed to partner dealerships that helped me decide on a hybrid vehicle of my choice. Thanks to this new program, I was able to get a new reliable car. I am grateful for this program, now I can work a proper job and better my children’s and my livelihoods.”
The Diaper Distribution Pilot is about more than just diapers – it is about lifting a barrier to health and well-being for families with low incomes and connecting those families with other programs that address the causes and consequences of poverty.
Research Participation and Data Collection
As part of the DDDRP’s research component, CalCAN has played an active role in helping collect data to measure the program’s effectiveness. Through surveys and interviews with participating families, they have been able to gather insights into the tangible benefits that regular access to free diapers has on family life.
CalCAPA is proud to report that California DDDRP subgrantees have distributed nearly 181,000 diapers to families in need.
Diapers can cost up to eight percent of an individual’s total income, at federal minimum wage, creating a significant financial burden to low-income families. By addressing both the immediate need for diapers and contributing to broader systemic change, the California Community Action Network is helping to ensure that no family has to choose between diapers and other necessities.
As research from the DDDRP is analyzed and shared, there is hope that this program will inspire other states to implement similar initiatives, creating a national movement toward ending diaper need once and for all.
In the meantime, the work continues. CalCAN and its partners will keep distributing diapers, advocating for policy change, and supporting families as they navigate the complexities of poverty and parenting in California.