Annual Report on the ASSET Project’s Head Start Family Financial Capability Pilot: 2014–2015

Since the Great Recession (December 2007–2009 in the United States), poverty has compromised many families and increased the prevalence of young children living in neighborhoods of concentrated, deep poverty. However, financial literacy interventions have reported promising outcomes for influencing financial choices and financial knowledge, highlighting the potential of such programs for improving the economic positions of families and children. This report presents results from a mixed-methods evaluation of a financial literacy intervention with Head Start families in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The intervention combines savings incentives and one-on-one coaching with 10 hours of financial education on debt management, banking, budgeting, and credit. Results from 2 years of data suggest that participants’ understanding of core financial concepts, financial attitudes, and financial management behaviors increased after participation. Participants also noted that they gained insight on how to maximize available resources and achieve their financial goals.