The National Diaper Bank reports, “1 in 2 U.S. families cannot afford enough diapers to keep their infant or child clean, dry, and healthy … 3 in 5 parents miss work or school because they cannot afford the diapers required to leave their baby in childcare.” Government assistance programs, such as WIC and SNAP, do not cover the expenses of diapers. The strain of diaper dependence is a financial burden, and the lack of diapers can disqualify children from childcare or increase childcare costs. This can keep parents out of the workforce and hinder them from improving their financial stability. Transitioning out of diapers helps families save between $80-$100 a month and provides them with more preschool options, as being potty trained is often a requirement for enrollment. Potty training can be the break that struggling families need. Muriel Smith, Executive Director of St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, said, “Potty training a child who is ready will help end diaper need for those families.”

In 2023, St. Louis County Library (SLCL) started offering Potty Training 101 in partnership with the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank (SLADB). The program, recommended for caregivers with children ages 2-3, was designed to help parents transition kids out of diapers. With the new program, caregivers and their child attend a story time where caregivers receive tips and information to get them started for the potty training process. An assessment is given for parents to evaluate their child’s gross motor skills and if there have been any changes to their routine. This unique program not only provides information to caregivers but also provides attendees a potty seat, stepping stool, sticker chart, training pants, and potty-themed board book to get them started on the process. This community partnership increases access to basic potty training items helping families who may be struggling financially. It is another way SLCL supports families in our community, improving their quality of life.

SLCL and SLADB have been partners since 2019, providing diapers to families in the community. Potty Training 101 is the latest collaborative project providing services to help families in need. Program attendees are given a satisfaction survey, and the results are overwhelmingly positive. The survey has shown 74% of attendees are extremely satisfied with the program, 25% are satisfied, resulting in an overall 99% satisfaction rate. 98% reported all of the potty training materials provided made them feel more prepared to start the process with their child, and 89% would attend a follow-up class to get additional information. One parent commented: "Thank you so much for the Potty Training Class! The sticker chart really helped us, and my daughter was potty trained in a week!" To date, over 754 have attended the 26 programs offered, and every program has full registration, illustrating the high demand for this service. Programs are scheduled throughout 2024 with plans to continue in 2025.