Essential support for working families - diaper distribution for families receiving caps services - helping mamas requests federal funding to expand its essential support for working families program,…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Helping Mamas Inc. $268,000 on August 31, 2026, under the Social Services Research and Demonstration program (CFDA 93.647) to expand its Essential Support for Working Families program, which distributes diapers to children whose families receive services through Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program.

Helping Mamas will purchase and distribute diapers to quality-rated childcare centers serving CAPS-enrolled children across Georgia. Participating childcare providers will then distribute the diapers directly to eligible families. This distribution model addresses the financial burden that diaper costs impose on low-income working families while supporting childcare stability and workforce participation.

CAPS enables low-income parents to access childcare while they work, attend school, or participate in workforce training. However, families remain responsible for supplying disposable diapers that most childcare providers require. By placing diapers through established relationships between childcare providers and families already connected to CAPS, the program reduces the financial barrier to childcare participation and family economic security.

Performance occurs in Georgia, with a period of performance from August 31, 2026, through August 30, 2027. This award is a Project Grant, one of multiple funded projects under the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot, which evaluates the capacity of community organizations to provide consistent diaper distribution combined with wraparound support services for low-income families.

Essential support for working families - diaper distribution for families receiving caps services - helping mamas requests federal funding to expand its essential support for working families program, which provides diapers to children whose families receive assistance through georgia's childcare and parent services (caps) program. Caps helps low-income parents access childcare while they work, attend school, or participate in workforce training; however, families remain responsible for supplying disposable diapers required by most childcare providers. The ongoing cost of diapers creates a significant financial burden for many working families and can threaten childcare stability, workforce participation, and family economic security. Through this project, helping mamas will purchase and distribute diapers to participating quality-rated childcare centers serving caps-enrolled children across georgia. Childcare providers will then distribute the diapers directly to eligible families, ensuring that children have access to the diapers required for attendance while reducing the financial burden on parents. This distribution model leverages trusted relationships between childcare providers and families while efficiently reaching households already connected to the caps program.