Two-Generation Implementation & Policy Issues

Nisha PatelHelping Parents, Helping Children: Exploring

the Promise of Two-Generation ProgramsMay 22, 2014

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Two-generation approaches provide opportunities for and meet the needs of children and their parents together.

What is a two-generation approach?

Core components

Key implementation issues

SegmentationPartnerships: Build, Buy, or

Broker

High-Touch Role

Data-driven Design

Mobilize empowered two-generation

organizations and leaders to influence policy and practice

changes that increase economic

security, educational success, social

capital, and health and well-being for children, parents

and their families.

Ascend Network

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58 Network members span the country

24 states and the District of Columbia.

Platforms for Scale:Head Start

Community collegesUnited Ways

Women’s funds & community foundations

Community Action Agencies

Promise Neighborhoods

State Policy Innovations:

Early childhoodHuman services

Postsecondary educationMeasuring impact

Evidence Building:Executive function

Cultural competenceTechnology and apps

Justice-involved families

Ascend Network themes

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Early Childhood & Human Services

1. Head Start & Early Head Start: Strengthen family supports & increase emphasis on parents’ role as breadwinners as well as caregivers.

2. Child Care & Development Block Grant: Increase access & quality of early childhood settings & ensure greater access to job training and education for parents.

3. Home Visiting: Increase efforts to support economic security outcomes.

4. TANF: Redesign it to focus on employment, education, & economic security outcomes.

5. Child Support: Strengthen family connections through support & promotion of work opportunities for non-custodial parents.

Postsecondary Ed/Workforce, Health & Well-Being, & Social Capital

6. Bundled Services: Promote cross-system collaboration between human services agencies & community colleges to increase benefits access for student parents.

7. Financial Aid: Increase college access & completion through financial aid policies that more accurately reflect needs of student parents.

8. Health Care Coverage: Increase access, recognizing it is a major factor in family well-being, economic stability, and a host of positive life outcomes.

9. Mental Health: Maximize opportunities for whole-family diagnosis & treatment.

10. Social Capital: Support research agenda on application of social capital to improve cognitive, behavioral, & academic outcomes for children, & boost education and economic outcomes for parents.

For more information

Nisha PatelDeputy Director, AscendThe Aspen InstituteOne DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 700Washington, DC 20036 nisha.patel@aspeninstitute.org 202.736.2902 Website: ascend.aspeninstitute.orgTwitter: @aspenascend