Three years after it was first proposed, the city of Pomona will launch a pilot program that aims to provide families with a secure income.
Dubbed Flourishing Families, the initiative is expected to last for 18 months. It’s funded by a grant from the federal government.
Tim Sandoval, the mayor of Pomona, has been advocating for a family-focused program, and he has also suggested supporting initiatives that are aimed at helping children under five years old.
In an interview, he noted that investing in children is the most important thing that the city can do to improve its community.
He said that he is working with various groups to make it easier for residents to access resources.
The goal of the program is to help young parents, who are usually in their early 20s, with children under five years old.
Officials noted that some of these individuals need additional support due to their age.
The objective of the program is to help them overcome various obstacles, such as financial insecurity and educational difficulties.
Like other cities across the country, Pomona is also affected by the pandemic.
According to census data, around 14% of its residents are living in poverty, and the average number of people per household in the city is 3.5.
The unemployment rate in the city of Pomona was at 5.5% in February 2024.
After studying the various uses of the $45 million in federal aid, the City Council determined that the best use of the money was for the Flourishing Families program.
The program will initially be launched with 600 families.
In addition to being distributed with a monthly income of $500, the families in the test group can also expect to receive additional perks such as stress reduction and improved financial security.
These individuals will be given stipends once they complete various tasks related to the program.
Families will be monitored by the program’s staff, and they’ll be required to attend check-ins every six to 12 months.
The pilot project will also provide support services to the families through local organizations that the city has identified.
These include financial, physical, education, employment, and mental health services.
The city will also work with UCLA to process data related to the program as well as its concluding report.
The program’s data will be analyzed by UCLA, which will then make a recommendation regarding its improvement and effectiveness.
During the program’s launch, the city will begin to promote the program by holding outreaches and marketing events.
Families will be screened to ensure that they meet the necessary requirements.
The Neighborhood Services Division is currently working on getting the first families registered for the program, according to Johnson.
Those who have any questions or need further information may contact him at 909-62-2368.
