twogeneration

Two-generation, commonly written as 2Gen, is a policy and program framework that aims to improve outcomes for both children and their parents by delivering integrated, family-centered supports. It rests on the idea that children’s success is closely linked to adult well-being and economic security, and that services should be designed to advance the goals of the whole family rather than addressing each generation in isolation.

Core principles include coordinated service delivery, addressing barriers that affect families across education, employment, health, housing, and child development, and involving families in planning and decision-making. The approach emphasizes aligning resources and incentives across agencies to support both generations simultaneously, as well as adapting services to family circumstances and cultural contexts.

Common components span multiple domains: integrated case management and service coordination; access to high-quality, affordable child care; parental education and employment services, including training, job placement, and wage supports; parenting education and health services for both adults and children; financial coaching and budgeting assistance; housing support and transportation; and access to health, mental health, and disability services.

Implementation models vary, including colocated services within schools, housing, or community organizations, cross-agency networks, and program-specific 2Gen initiatives. Programs typically monitor outcomes for both generations, tracking parental employment and income, educational attainment, child school readiness, health, and housing stability.

Evidence and challenges: evaluations report mixed results, with some programs showing improvements in parental employment, child readiness, and stability when services are well-integrated and adequately funded. Common challenges include funding fragmentation, misaligned incentives, sustaining engagement, scaling to diverse communities, and measuring long-term impact. See also two-generation approaches and 2Gen.