Two-Generation Approaches to Serving Low-Income Families

Parent well-being and child well-being are inextricably linked. However, many policies and programs aimed at improving family economic security and child well-being often do not consider the needs of children and parents together, as a whole family. Governors interested in effective and efficient ways to meet the interrelated, often complex, needs of low-income families can consider two-generation strategies to provide appropriate, coordinated, and seamless services to both the adults and the children in those families. A two-generation approach seeks to support parents in their dual roles of caregiver and provider, while also addressing the care and educational needs of children.

Adopting a two-generation approach to serving low-income families does not necessarily require new laws, new money or new programs. States and territories can focus on aligning current policies, streamlining current practices and strengthening links among existing programs in the child-focused and adult-focused service delivery systems to address the needs of families. Such changes—when taken collectively—are expected to lead to increased efficiency and systems change. Governors have an opportunity to lead the way in aligning programs and policies for low-income families through two-generation strategies since they oversee most programs for low-income families. By providing leadership and fostering collaboration across agencies that serve low-income families, governors can streamline practices and develop innovative approaches to promote the well-being of children and improve family economic stability.

Related Content

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2016 Maternal and Child Health Update

State Approaches to Implementing Community-Based Alternatives to Incarceration for Youth Involved in the Justice System

Building a High-Performing State Workforce Board

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Interagency Two-Generation Initiative in Colorado

Connecticut Two-Generation Initiative

Governor Announcement of Georgia Selection into the PACTT Network

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Two-Gen for Tennessee

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Other resources

National Head Start Association Initiative: Two Generations Together

Two-Generation Resources from Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Two-Generation Resources from the Annie E. Casey Foundation

Two-Generation Resources from the Center for Law and Social Policy