The Yolo Basic Income (YoBI) program is an experimental two-year intervention that provided monthly financial support to low-income families in Yolo County with the goal of lifting them above the poverty level in California. Specifically designed for families with young children or expecting parents, YoBI was meant to reduce stress associated with meeting basic needs to promote healthier and more financially stable families. Through collaborations between Yolo County Health and Human Services, First 5 Yolo, other community agencies, and researchers from UC Davis, including members of the DESC Lab, preliminary findings indicated a 29% decrease in depression among mothers facing poverty, increases in mother-child library visits, and a reduction in economic hardship after less than a year of payments. These early results suggest guaranteed and basic income programs can reduce financial stress and improve mental health.
