Table 1.

Ground Rule and Role Descriptions

Ground Rules	Description
Family	Starts with a certain amount of cash on hand and resources (appliances, durable good, maybe a car title). If housed must make mortgage, utility, food/clothing payments. Children > 5 years must go to school. Children < 5 years must be dropped off at childcare. Adults with jobs should go to the employer. Other than this, families have discretion of which stations to go to in order to accomplish all of the tasks on hand.
Transportation	Going to each station requires a transportation pass, which is collected at that station and represents transportation costs (if has car—cost of gas/maintenance; if no car—cost of public transit).
Timing of week.	Keeps time (15‐minute weekday, 5‐minute weekend for total of 20 minutes each week). Total simulation is 4 weeks or 1 month.
Role	Description
Family	Made up of one to five individuals. May be a combination of adults and children. Plans to accomplish IADLs each week and goes to stations of choosing each week to accomplish IADLs.
Employer	Ensures that employees are not more than 3 minutes late. Pays employees each week. Fires employees. Takes job applications. Interviews new job applicants.
Interfaith services	Runs homeless shelter. Provides resources for families seeking assistance.
Banker	Cashes checks. Redeems “luck‐of‐the‐draw” cards.
Utilities company	Takes utilities payments. Issues utility shut off warnings for those who are late in payments. Issues utility shut off notices starting week 3 of simulation.
School	Provides supervision for children during school time. Collects fees for children's school‐related expenses. Issues tardy notices to parents whose children are late.
Community action agency	Provides assistance to families requesting assistance. Issues vouchers that are redeemable at Supercenter for food. Helps families with forms.
Mortgage company	Takes mortgage payments. Issues eviction notices for those who are late in payments starting in week 3 of simulation. Goes out and reminds families about late payments starting week 3 of simulation.
Social services	Schedules individuals for appointments to apply for public benefits (food stamps, cash aid). Issues public benefits applications. Reviews public benefits applications. Issues food stamps cards and cash aid checks.
QuikStop	Sells transportation passes. Makes payday loans. Issues loans against car titles.
Supercenter	Sells food and clothing. Issues starvation notices to families who are behind on food and clothing payments. Employs individuals part time.
Childcare	Provides childcare for minor children too young for school. Collects childcare payments.
Pawnshop	Negotiates with individuals who are looking to pawn appliances and durable goods. Issues cash for items pawned by families.
Police	Arrests individuals who are stealing or fighting. Places these individuals in jail. Investigates claims of robbery.
Thief	Steals from families as opportunities arise. Avoids police.
Facilitator	Keeps time. Hands out “luck‐of‐the‐draw cards.” Answers questions. Leads large group debrief.

IADL = instrumental activities of daily living.