Income Predicts Federal Poverty Guideline, but Food Security Is the Mediator

Abstract

The research discussed in this article sought to study the Reaching Independence through Support and Education (RISE) pilot program and stability factors of low socioeconomic groups. Self-sufficiency programs like RISE focus on households moving from crisis to empowerment, no longer relying on subsidies; however, gaining employment and securing housing alone do not create socioeconomic stability. It was therefore determined that the RISE program should be evaluated to determine its effectiveness at ending dependency. Thirty-four individuals, representing 30.6% of RISE participants, were included in this evaluation study, which used logistic regression techniques to explore 16 items on the RISE Self-Sufficiency Assessment (RSSA). The study results showed that RISE participants derived significant economic benefits from the program and indicated that food security was the greatest mediator of increases in the federal poverty guideline (FPG). The slope of the overall RSSA revealed that for every one increase in the total RSSA score, there were 24.01 increases in %FPG. Participants who had increased food security saw significant increases in %FPG of 25.25. These findings suggest that participants’ perceptions of improved food security is the best mediator of increased federal poverty guidelines.