In the United States, racial disparities in birth outcomes continue to persist with income inequality being one of the key contributors. Structural interventions that reduce the racial-wealth gap are urgently needed and have the promise to narrow longstanding inequities. In a community-academic partnership, Expecting piloted the first pregnancy income supplement program in the US called the Abundant Birth Project (ABP). ABP provides unconditional cash supplements to communities experiencing disproportionately high rates of adverse outcomes as a strategy to reduce preterm birth and improve economic outcomes for our communities. ABP presents an opportunity to transform San Francisco into a city where all children have a healthy start at life.
Providing direct, unconditional cash aid is a restorative step that demonstrates trust in women to make the right choices for themselves and their families.
Zea Malawa, Director
Expecting Justice
Mamas and Pregnant People
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Abundant Birth Project (ABP)! Applications are currently closed. Applications are expected to re open in the Summer of 2023 at the earliest.
Provider Client Referral
Thank you for your support of the Abundant Birth Project (ABP)! Applications are currently closed. Applications are expected to re open in the Summer of 2023 at the earliest.
This guaranteed income program helps ease some of the financial burdens that all too often keep mothers from being able to prioritize their own health and ultimately impact the health of their babies and family. We hope the Abundant Birth Project serves as a model to address racial birth disparities throughout the region and state, and across the country.”
Mayor London Breed
Which communities are experiencing the worst birth inequities?
In San Francisco, a Black infant is almost twice as likely to be born prematurely compared to a White infant (13.8% versus 7.3%, 2012-2016), and Pacific Islander infants have the second highest preterm birth rate, at 10.4%. One aspect of structural racism that drives this inequity is the increasing income gap that disproportionately affects Black and Pacific Islander (PI) communities. These income disparities impact families’ abilities to afford basic needs, resulting in higher stress and poorer health outcomes. ABP will provide cash supplements to Black and PI mothers and birthing people as a strategy to reduce preterm birth and improve economic outcomes for these communities.
How do I know if I may be eligible for the Abundant Birth Project?
The program is not currently accepting applications. We are hoping to re-open the program in Summer 2023.
How do I apply for the Abundant Birth Project?
The program is not currently accepting applications. We are hoping to re-open the program in Summer 2023.
Our research partners at UCSF, UC Berkeley and UC Davis are still enrolling participants in the ABP research study. This research will help show the importance of providing ABP income supplements during pregnancy and help us expand ABP. You may be eligible to participate in the research, which will involve taking surveys and possibly being interviewed. You will be compensated $100 for each longer survey (up to 4) or interview and $10 for each short monthly survey (up to 14) you complete. It is completely optional to participate in the research.
If you are interested in the research, you can fill out this form: http://tiny.cc/abpeval. A member of the research team will contact you if you are eligible to participate to give you more information. If you want to learn more about the study, you can go to their website: https://abundantbirtheval.ucsf.edu/about.
When will you begin enrolling participants?
Applications for the Abundant Birth Project are now closed. We are working on expanding ABP across 5 counties in California, including San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside. We will relaunch next year and expect applications to reopen in the Summer of 2023 at the earliest.
How many participants will be part of the program?
We met our initial goal of enrolling 150 pregnant women and birthing parents over the course of two years.
Why do you have to be in your first or second trimester of pregnancy to be eligible?
ABP is a feasibility pilot to see how a no strings attached income supplement may impact stress during pregnancy. In order to see how the ABP cash gift may impact stress, we need to provide the supplement early in pregnancy.
I do not live in San Francisco, but I am interested in applying.
Applications for the Abundant Birth Project are now closed. We are working on expanding ABP across 5 counties in California, including San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside. We will relaunch next year and expect applications to reopen in the Summer of 2023 at the earliest.
I am currently pregnant, where can I find resources?
Information about pregnancy, labor and birth support, postpartum care can be found here. Information is occasionally updated, be sure to check back for more information.
How will we receive the money if selected?
Those selected through the Abundance Drawing will receive a monthly income supplement on a prepaid debit card.
How can we use the money if selected?
Participants can use the money to help their family in whatever ways they need to. We trust participants to know what is best for their family.
What does “no-strings attached” mean?
It means we know racism has made it so that many parents have not been given an equal opportunity to earn money in this country. It means we trust mamas (and other birthing parents) to know how best to take care of themselves and their growing families.
Participants don’t have to do anything to receive the income supplement. They can choose how best to spend this money to meet their needs. There are no lengthy forms, or classes to attend. There is no explanation needed as to why participants deserve or want this money.
The cash we provide is a gift from ABP which means you don’t need to do anything to earn this money and there are no strings attached. We do not require you to do anything after being selected to participate in the program to receive the gift.
I am a provider or work for a community organization and want to get involved?
Let’s connect! Please send an email to Abundancecareteam@SFDPH.org.
Why do we conduct research?
The research will allow us to test our theory that a no-string attached income supplement can be used as a strategy to reduce preterm birth and improve economic outcomes for communities disproportionately experiencing adverse birth outcomes in San Francisco impacted greatly by preterm birth. In addition, our research may lead to this pilot being picked up in other counties.
A Note About Our Research
Historically, Black and other marginalized communities have experienced heinous conditions and unethical treatment as part of “research.” At ABP we acknowledge this and hold space for the pain, trauma, and distrust this has caused within our communities. We believe in transparency, informed consent and empowerment.
The research component to our study is completely voluntary and does not affect participants’ eligibility for the abundance drawing or the income supplement.
Why do we conduct research?
The research will allow us to test our theory that a no-string attached income supplement can be used as a strategy to reduce preterm birth and improve economic outcomes for the Black and PI communities of San Francisco impacted greatly by preterm birth. In addition, our research may lead to this pilot being picked up in other counties.
Is the research part mandatory?
Participants enrolled in the Abundant Birth Project will be asked to participate in research so we can understand what impact our program is having. We will ask them questions at several points throughout their pregnancy and request access to some of their medical records. Participants do not need to volunteer for the research to participate in the Abundant Birth Project, however, if participants decide to join in the research, the researchers will compensate them.
How can I learn more about ABP research?
You can find out more information on the ABP Evaluation website HERE.
While historically, the field of research has been extractive and harmful, the Abundant Birth Project leads the way in community-based research that is restorative and just. This research would not have been possible without our AMAZING Community Research team and their contributions to creating a safe environment for our ABP Mamas!
See What We’re Up To
It’s a fact that Black and Pacific Islander women experience infant and maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, and preterm birth at higher rates than most other groups in the United States. Structural racism is an important factor driving this inequity.
This report summarizes a proposed approach on how the Abundant Birth Project will help to reduce birth inequities for Black and Pacific Islander women and birthing people in San Francisco.
