Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. Why focus on single moms?

 

A. In the United States, the number of single mom families has tripled over the last 30 years. There are now more than 50,000 single mom families in Utah. Single mom families face a variety of unique challenges as they work to achieve economic self-reliance. As a result, single moms often represent a disproportionately large number of Utah’s working poor. Thirty percent of single mom families in Utah live below the poverty line. They are five times more likely to live below the poverty line than two-parent households. The challenges faced by single moms not only impact mothers, but also impact the children they raise. For these reasons, the ESR Center partnered with the Single Mom Foundation to create its first domestic initiative focused on helping single moms and their children.

 

Q. Do you provide services to single moms?

 

A. The Single Mom Initiative is a research initiative and does not provide services directly to single moms. The SMI works on applied research projects in partnership with sponsors, practitioners, and researchers. The goal of these projects is to identify and create innovative strategies for helping single moms build economic self-reliance. The SMI also works with practitioners by consulting on the implementation of strategies to improve services to single moms.