two-generation implementation & policy issues working poor families project state policy academy...
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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
educationMeasuring 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 [email protected] 303.547.6381 Website: ascend.aspeninstitute.orgTwitter: @aspenascend