Two-Generation Strategies

ACF supports and advances two-generation approaches through our technical assistance and public-private partnerships. The following resources describe a range of strategies for implementing a two-generation approach at program, system, and policy levels.

Here you will find webinars, information on interagency initiatives, and resources from the wide two-generation field. Many of the resources provide examples of states, tribes, localities, and programs that have implemented or are in the process of developing a two-generation approach.

Webinars

Office of Regional Operations

Advancing Family Economic & Social Well-Being Webinar Series

The webinar series is an opportunity for state human services agencies, workforce agencies, and local organizations to learn about Two Generation approaches, field innovations and model practices, research and systems changes that are achieving positive outcomes for both parents and their children. The series will highlight:

  • linkages between high quality early childhood development and workforce development services
  • ensuring the families have access to economic and social supports to support upward mobility while also assuring healthy child development
  • programmatic efforts to help parents gain the skills, knowledge, and resources to support their child’s development
  • helping families build social capital that can support both resilience and upward mobility

Learn more about the webinar series

  • Webinar 1: 2Gen Early Innovator: The Colorado Experience (October 20, 2016)
    This webinar highlighted the work that has been accomplished in Colorado, a state that has seen early successes with innovative, strong 2Gen efforts. Anne Mosle, Vice President, Aspen Institute provided an overview of two-generation approaches underway across the country to set the context. Reggie Bicha, Executive Director of Colorado’s Department of Human Services, shared experiences, insights and lessons-learned for macro-level policy and programmatic change. - Read the Colorado Case Study
  • Webinar 2: Building Blocks for Early Childhood: Integrating 2Gen through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Early Care and Education (December 8, 2016)
    This webinar will highlighted one state and one local jurisdiction that are leveraging TANF and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)/Head Start/Community Services Block Grant funding for parent and early childhood supports. Presenters will share how the state used new CCDF regulations to increase quality of child care for TANF recipients. The Community Action Agency will discuss how they managed wide-scale change initiative redesign service delivery system to better meet the needs of families and children, using Head Start and other ACF funds as levers for change.- View Supplemental Materials
  • Webinar 3: Helping the Helpers: Tennessee’s 2gen Experience with Comprehensive Workforce Development and Pilot Site Implementation (Thursday January 12, 2017)
    This webinar will highlight Tennessee’s 2Gen journey, including the Families First Program, a workforce development program, 2Gen pilot sites, and partnerships with a model developer, Nurse-Family Partnership. This webinar will also examine practical examples of how a state can embed two-generation approaches and culture change into their professional development systems.
  • Webinar 4: Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency through TANF and WIOA 2gen Partnerships (Thursday February 16, 2017 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time)
    This webinar will highlight specific strategies that two states are using to leverage TANF and WIOA funding to support 2Gen efforts. States will discuss how WIOA state planning and 2gen efforts have resulted in improved policies, collaboration, and outcomes for TANF families.
  • Webinar 5: Opening Doors for Homeless Families through TANF, Child Care, and SNAP (Thursday, March 16, 2017 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time)
    DC’s Human Services Commissioner, who administers state TANF funds and homelessness services, will discuss how a city-state reformed that way it served homeless families to respond to the needs of parents and children together and co-locating staff across multiple agencies. States and counties will learn how DC’s Rapid Rehousing model improved housing, employment, and child development outcomes for TANF families. This session will also highlight the early work from the launch of the National Governor’s Association’s Parents and Children Thriving Together (PACTT) State Policy Network and efforts to advance two-generation policies and strategies in the five states selected.
  • Webinar 6: Putting it All Together: County-led 2gen Pathways Toward Prosperity and Well-being (Thursday April 13, 2017 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time)
    This webinar will highlight work led by county human service agencies to advance 2Gen strategies across a wide range of social and human services programs through a "Pathway Toward Prosperity and Well-being." Speakers will highlight innovations at integrating human services using an evidence-based system of practice, holistic family assessment, and economic development tools within a social determinants of health framework. The counties will also discuss their partnerships and collaborations with the state agencies.

Office of Head Start

Building Foundations for Economic Mobility (BFEM) web series

Office of Family Assistance

OFA PeerTA 

ACF's Office of Family Assistance through the OFA Peer Technical Assistance (PeerTA) Network hosted a webinar on “Breaking the Poverty Cycle and Opening Doors to Opportunity for TANF Families: Developing a Two-Generation Approach,” on May 26, 2015 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EDT. This free webinar discussed the importance of policies and practices that equip parents and children with the income, tools, and skills needed to improve economic stability. It showcased experts from the field who currently run two-generational approach programs that serve Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) populations and highlighted promising practices for establishing and implementing approaches that break the cycles of intergenerational poverty. Speakers from the Office of Family Assistance, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Community Action Project-Tulsa, and Utah Department of Workforce Services described their experiences and lessons learned implementing and assessing two-generation programs.

The Office of Family Assistance held a Webinar on Integrating Two-Generation Strategies into TANF Programs on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT. The two-generation approach to serving low-income or disadvantaged families has seen renewed interest in recent years, with models focused on combining comprehensive, career-focused employment and training opportunities for parents with educational and enrichment opportunities for their children. However, state, territory, and tribal TANF program leadership and staff have suggested a need for more targeted TA and information around two-generation approaches and TANF integration and implementation strategies. In this facilitated webinar, presenters provided an overview of the policy components of an intentional two-generation approach and offered tools and resources that may be applicable to the audience’s TANF programs, wherever they lie on the two-generation continuum. Through a “Town Hall” format, presenters also provided planning, policy, and implementation strategies and lessons learned from their own experiences with two-generation integration.

National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

This webinar explored trauma-informed principles and look at their relevance for work in fatherhood program settings. It is likely that many participants in fatherhood programs have been exposed to trauma, perhaps as a result of violence in their families or communities; experiences before, during, or after incarceration; or as a result of military service. These experiences can impact key executive functioning skills such as how you think, feel, behave and relate to others.

Ascend at the Aspen Institute

This webinar from the Ascend Network at the Aspen Institute highlighted the context and demographics of tribal communities, provided information about 2Gen practice efforts underway in Alaska Native and Native American communities, and offered insights about ways to incorporate family voices and traditions into programs. It highlighted the work of Cook Inlet Tribal Council, which serves Anchorage, Alaska and a large swath of the Alaskan interior, including some remote villages.

Rural Integration Models for Parents and Children to Thrive (Rural IMPACT)

Key External Resources

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