The Building Health and Wealth Network – Full Intervention used a 28-week curriculum that included a weekly 4-hour peer support group and 3-hour financial empowerment class. The peer support group used a trauma-informed approach to guide participants toward a more financially stable foundation. Financial empowerment classes covered topics such as saving for education, housing, entrepreneurial activities, retirement, improving credit, and reducing debt. The program also helped participants open a credit union savings account, and matched any contributions the participant made during the program.
All participants were the primary caregiver of one or more children younger than 6, were receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, and were required to work at least 20 hours per week to receive these TANF benefits.
The Building Health and Wealth Network – Full Intervention was implemented in Philadelphia, PA. An additional variation of the program, Building Health and Wealth Network – Partial Intervention, was studied alone and in comparison with the Full Intervention.