The State of 2Gen: February 2016 eNews - Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Ascend eNews | February 2016
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What is the State of 2Gen?

Marking five years into its work as the national 2Gen hub, Ascend gathered with leaders from across the country to assess the lessons learned in advancing two-generation practice and policy and the agenda for the field going forward. A full paper is forthcoming this spring. In the meantime, here are two themes from the discussion:

Two-generation approaches require a culture shift: Successful 2Gen leaders are moving out of silos and collaborating across teams and systems. Changing mindsets is hard and requires change leaders within the organization and a focus on creating relationships at all levels.
We must build the learning and evaluation capacity of the field: The forthcoming report from the 2Gen Outcomes Working Group and online 2Gen Outcomes Bank will be a strong start. However, there is a real need for continuing to build proof points, expanding our learning questions, and building the assessment and evaluation capacity for 2Gen approaches.

Our thanks to the parents, leading practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropists who joined the discussion, including Ascend Fellows and Network partners.

Upcoming Webinar: 2Gen in Tribal Communities

Date: Thursday, February 11, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST
Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/197256056271837441

This webinar, featuring Ascend Network partners, will highlight the current context and demographics of tribal communities, share information about 2Gen strategies and policy efforts in tribal communities, and provide insights on incorporating family voices and community traditions into programs. Speakers include:

Renee Fredericks and Andrew Freed, Cook Inlet Tribal Council;
Laura John, Former Tribal Policy Analyst, Montana Budget and Policy Center;
Marjorie Sims, Managing Director, Ascend at the Aspen Institute.

2Gen Resources and Opportunities

Garrett County Community Action Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan Sample. This letter can be used to help develop comments or recommendations regarding WIOA to send to the decision-makers in your state. Sample Letter here.

Connecticut State government, the first state to pass 2Gen legislation, shares guidance document with tools and templates used in their approach to ensure that their state policies and programs were supporting whole families.

National Center for Families Learning and National Head Start Association partner to deepen 2Gen learning and outcomes at Head Start sites with new 2Gen Family Engagement Initiative. See announcement here.

The Urban Institute releases new brief, Supporting Parents Who Work and Go to School: A Portrait of Low-Income Students Who Are Employed.

National Women's Law Center released Set Up to Fail: When Low- Wage Work Jeopardizes Parents' and Children's Success, a report on child care and low-wage work for parents.

Stay on track to with your 2016 2Gen Resolutions using these tools and resources.

Lessons and Innovations from the 2Gen Field:

Ascend has released a new blog series featuring insights and lessons from the Ascend Network and field experts on supporting children and the adults in their lives together. Each blog will feature new research, models, or efforts from across the country that are building cycles of opportunity for families. New posts will be shared each week.

Read the first three posts here:

2Gen News

Ascend Fellow Ann Silverberg Willimson, Executive Director of Utah's Department of Human Services, receives 2016 Casey Excellence for Children Leadership Award.

The White House budget plans to include a $2 billion in emergency aid and services initiative to provide short-term supports for families to mitigate those entering into the poverty trap.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper annual State of the State address highlights the state's 2Gen programs and models.

CO Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services selected to bring two-generational support services to struggling noncustodial parents and families. Press release here.

Visible Men Academy receives grant for their Two-Generation Parent Success program in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Kresge Foundation deepening commitment to early childhood development and families outcomes with new $20 million initiative to improve early childhood outcomes in Detroit.

“Fear is at an all-time high in the community.” says Ascend Network partner CASA in recent The Atlantic article, How Fears of Deportation Harm Kids' Education.

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We celebrate the leadership and commitment to equality and justice for all during Black History month. As we reflect on these words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s, A Letter From Birmingham Jail, we know we must redouble our commitment to working towards justice.

How are you honoring Black History Month? Please let us know using #BHM on Twitter.

Resources and tools to address Adverse Childhood Experiences and Toxic Stress

The National Crittenton Foundation released the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Survey Toolkit and new research findings from the survey administration. The toolkit was developed in partnership with Ascend at the Aspen Institute to equip human service providers with the tools and tips needed to administer the ACE survey. In a recent webinar, they shared the toolkit and findings from a 2014 ACEs survey administered by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at 18 Crittenton agencies in 16 states.

Click to access the resources and webinar recording.