Marshallese Child Development Account Program: An Exploratory Study Using the Status Attainment Framework

This pilot study was designed to assess the association of post-secondary education savings with improvement in outcomes associated with status attainment for 77 low-income Marshallese households. Given that little is known about specific status attainment measures for Marshallese households, this study provides an important glimpse into the strengths and needs of this population as well as the associations between CDA Program participation and status attainment outcomes. Our findings indicate that the CDA program positively influences self-efficacy and social support among participants. These results suggest that such programs can significantly impact the well-being and future orientation of low-income, diverse populations.This pilot study was designed to assess the association of post-secondary education savings with improvement in outcomes associated with status attainment for 77 low-income Marshallese households. Given that little is known about specific status attainment measures for Marshallese households, this study provides an important glimpse into the strengths and needs of this population as well as the associations between CDA Program participation and status attainment outcomes. Our findings indicate that the CDA program positively influences self-efficacy and social support among participants. These results suggest that such programs can significantly impact the well-being and future orientation of low-income, diverse populations.