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April is National Financial Literacy Month, a time to highlight the importance of financial education, promote smart money management, and help people build lasting financial security. Often, the challenge isn’t just access to information, it’s navigating systems that can make progress feel fragile.
At ForKids, we see every day how structural barriers—from rising costs to policies like the benefits cliff—can undercut hard-earned gains, even when parents are doing everything right.
That’s where our Economic Mobility programs come in.
Through personalized coaching, practical skill-building, and a focus on long-term stability, we work alongside parents as they set goals, navigate complex systems, and create new possibilities for themselves and their children.
This month, we’re spotlighting Traci, a program participant whose journey reflects both the realities families face and what’s possible when determination meets the right support.
Traci’s Story
For many families, earning a higher income should be a reason to celebrate. But for those receiving public benefits, a small pay increase can sometimes cause more harm than good. This is known as the “benefits cliff”—a sudden drop in public benefits that occurs with a small increase in earnings. This increase does not make up for the cost of the lost benefits. That’s the challenge Traci faced.
When Traci was referred to the Economic Mobility program at ForKids by her social services worker, she was determined to build a brighter future for herself and her daughter.
At the time, she received housing assistance, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and childcare support. With guidance from her ForKids mentor—whom she calls “literally the best”—Traci began setting goals, advancing her career, and saving money. Her mentor checked in regularly, offering encouragement, motivation, and a steady hand whenever things felt overwhelming.
Traci’s hard work paid off. She received a promotion with a pay increase of $4 per hour. The excitement of the pay increase and promotion soon became anxiety. As a result of this raise, Traci lost almost all her benefits. She became responsible for a larger percentage of childcare and housing, all insurance costs for herself and her daughter, and all food costs. While her income grew by $1,078 per month, her expenses rose by $1,037—nearly canceling her progress.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” Traci shared, “but it’s still hard to stay current with bills. I pay out more than I bring in some months.”
Still, Traci refuses to let these challenges stop her. She’s focused on her long-term goals: reducing debt, saving money, and becoming a homeowner within the next few years. With her mentor’s continued support, advice, and problem solving, Traci knows she has what it takes to cross the benefits cliff for good and build lasting financial stability for her family.
To learn more about how ForKids is working to advance system-level solutions through advocacy, visit our website.