The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has contracted with MEF Associates to produce a set of studies reviewing current cash and cash-equivalent benefits for nonworking residents and exploring the feasibility of implementing a universal child allowance, universal baby boxes, and a social wealth fund for the state. The work, which is a response to request of the Washington State Legislature, will culminate in a report to the legislature detailing findings, examining trade-offs associated with different designs and providing recommendations for next steps on research and policy. The study team will use an approach that includes an analysis of the current research landscape, engagement of Washington, national, and international experts in these policies, and conducting feasibility analyses. MEF is the prime contractor for this project.
