TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) announced Arizona Community Action Association (Wildfire) as a recipient of the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot grant. Using the $1.2 million awarded for the Diaper Distribution Pilot, Wildfire will partner with the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona (AZDB) to increase the health, wellness, security, and independence of the families served in Arizona.
The Administration of Children and Families (ACF) at the Department of Health and Human Services launched the new Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot today. This program, also known as the Diaper Distribution Pilot, channels new funding to expand existing diaper distribution services, through the robust network of anti-poverty services funded by ACF’s Office of Community Services (OCS).
“A lack of access to diapers is not only a public health issue, but an obstacle to economic mobility for low-income families,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Despite being a basic essential need for an infant, one in three families in the United States don’t have enough diapers. Diapers are a substantial expense for young families, yet there is very little assistance offered to help with the cost. I applaud the Biden administration for the execution of this research pilot and look forward to working with these community partners to ensure working parents and their babies have access to affordable diapers and child care essentials.”
The Diaper Distribution Pilot puts another antipoverty tool in the hands of community-based organizations such as Community Action Agencies and their partners, as part of their efforts to provide wraparound services for individuals and families with low incomes. The Diaper Distribution Pilot also connects families to economic mobility services like job training, Early Head Start, housing services, caregiver support, and more. OCS understands that this Diaper Distribution Pilot is about more than just diapers – it is about lifting a real and tangible barrier to health and wellbeing for low-income families, and about connecting those families with other programs that address the conditions and causes of poverty and help them take steps toward self-sufficiency.
For more information about the new pilot program, visit OCS’ Diaper Distribution Pilot webpage.