Two-Generation Implementation & Policy Issues

Working Poor Families ProjectState Policy Academy

June 27, 2014

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MISSION: Ascend at the Aspen Institute is the national hub for breakthrough ideas and collaborations that move vulnerable children and their parents toward

educational success and economic security.

Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • June 2014

Hard work. Equal pay. Optimism. The American dream…

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • April 2014

BUT• Major shifts in family demographics;• Polarized debate among policymakers and advocates; • Today’s economy requires new skills and education; • Technology is changing how we work and live; and• Growing unease about the future, for parents and their children.

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Almost HALF of all children in the U.S. live in low-income families.

ROI in education for children AND their parents is high.

Why a two-generation approach?

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • May 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

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Programs

Policies

Research

Applying two-generation approaches

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • June 2014

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

Adult and Postsecondary education

Measuring impact

Evidence Building:Executive function

Cultural competenceTechnology and apps

Justice-involved families

Ascend Network themes

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Two Generation State Policy: CO HB14-1317

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • June 2014

Child Care reform that increases access, decreases red tape, and incentivizes quality.

Highlights for families include:• Allow job seekers and those enrolled in postsecondary education or workforce

training to be eligible for CCCAP. • Remove barriers to the application process by allowing presumptive eligibility and

aligning income verification with other programs, among other things. • Adjusted co-payment requirements and tiered co-pay increases to mitigate the

“Cliff Effect”.

Highlights for small businesses include: • An increased floor for provider reimbursement rates.• Holiday and absence policies tied to program quality ratings. • Tiered reimbursement so providers can afford the costs of providing higher quality

care.

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Two Generation State Policy: CT SB14-340

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • June 2014

Directs the Office of Early Childhood to establish a two-generation school readiness plan.

School readiness for children

Adult education and workforce training for parents

Plan deadline: December 1, 2014

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.

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Guiding Policy Principles

Ascend at the Aspen Institute • June 2014

Capitalize on Current Levers

Encourage Evidence-Building

Capture the Continuum

Be Intentional in Implementation

Support the System

Ensure Equity

For more information

Jennifer StedronSenior Program Manager, AscendThe Aspen Institute Jennifer.stedron@aspeninstitute.org 303.547.6381 Website: ascend.aspeninstitute.orgTwitter: @aspenascend