Social innovation is often perceived as the implementation of a brand-new idea, but it is not always about an idea. It can also be a new way of delivering an existing program or service or a way to take that idea to scale successfully. The two-generation (also called 2-generation or “2Gen”) approach falls into the latter category – a simple, yet profound, idea to unite programming for parents and their children to create a multiplier effect. It is defined as “creating opportunities for and addressing needs of both vulnerable parents and children together.” Unfortunately, while the inclusion of two generations together seems like a common-sense approach, programs that utilize it are not common. For example, services that provide adult education and skills training often view children as a barrier to participation and do not adequately address childcare as a major barrier to GED/college completion. Similarly, programs focused on educating children often view parents merely as facilitators of the children’s education and not as a child’s “first and most important teacher.”
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- SILO-BUSTING: Fields from all disciplines are converging
Even though the 2Gen field is still taking root, early results suggest that this approach has five essential components: education (i.e., early childhood education), postsecondary and employment pathways, economic support, health and well-being, and social capital. Within these components, best and promising practices from various fields are converging. Asset building and bundled-service delivery pioneered by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and organizations like Prosperity Now are the cornerstones of the economic support component. Meanwhile, workforce demand and research on the impact of maternal education on child outcomes are driving the education component for parents. As you know, we love silo-busting ideas, and the 2Gen approach is leveraging these best practices from multiple disciplines to better serve their families. - SYSTEM CHANGE: Leaders are trying to change the system, not just one program or organization
Increasingly, leaders in the 2Gen movement have been trying to scale this approach by changing systems rather than disseminating the approach one program at a time. The Aspen Institute’s Ascend Family Economic Security Program (Ascend) has been working with community college systems, municipal housing authorities and early childhood education systems to streamline and coordinate services that address the needs of both parents and their children. Early Head Start, Head Start and other quality early childhood programs are seen as prime candidates for this scaling strategy as it is a convenient, centralized point for parents to receive the support they need to achieve their goals while addressing the developmental needs of their children. - POLICY: 2Gen policies are trying to ensure win-wins
Advocates of 2Gen approaches are working to align the priorities of government agencies so that parents’ and children’s needs do not conflict. The system is often misaligned, and parents are forced to make difficult tradeoffs between earning a stable income and their children’s education. By pushing for flexible employer policies, supporting the expansion of earned income tax credits and building bridges to affordable childcare for those benefitting from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Higher Education Act or other career pathway programs, parents may be able to secure a higher paying job while also giving their children the best opportunities to grow. To check out how recent federal legislation is creating opportunities to advance 2Gen, read this great piece in Ascend’s Solution Series.
- SILO-BUSTING: Fields from all disciplines are converging