Two-generation (2Gen) approaches supporting children and their caregivers simultaneously to build protective factors, resiliency, and parental capacity to enhance child and family well-being and prevent child abuse and neglect. Also called "whole family" or "intergenerational" approaches, these strategies address the interconnected needs of parents and children.
2Gen approaches seek to address and interrupt cycles of poverty by creating the foundations for positive educational, economic, and other outcomes that can pass from one generation to the next. These strategies build financial stability in families while acknowledging the overlap between poverty and child welfare system involvement. Poverty and neglect are not the same, and most families experiencing poverty do not abuse or neglect their children. However, families experiencing poverty are overrepresented in the population of people reported to child protective services.
Historical trauma and structural and systemic racism contribute to Black and American Indian/Alaska Native families disproportionally experiencing intergenerational poverty and child welfare system involvement. Disparities in treatment have created a mistrust of public systems in many communities. 2Gen approaches can help rebuild that trust and promote equity by valuing and acknowledging the families' expertise and recognizing their strengths and resilience.
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Two-Generation Approaches to Supporting Family Well-Being
Read about two-generation approaches and why child welfare agencies should use them to improve outcomes for families. Learn how to build parental capacity and protective factors within families, often with the goal of interrupting cycles of poverty.
Two-Generation Strategies
Presents information on 2Gen approaches and shares resources about strategies for implementing a 2Gen approach in child welfare, early childhood development, and other human services agencies.
The 2Gen Approach
Read a definition of two-generation (2Gen) approaches and learn about the origins of 2Gen, principles of 2Gen approaches, and key components of child and family well-being.
What Is 2Gen?
Explains the 2Gen approach and its emphasis on holistic ways of working with families.
Two-Generation Approaches
Explore a listing of resources related to two-generation approaches, which seek to address the needs of parents and their children simultaneously and to help reduce the number of families experiencing poverty.
Strengthening Two-Generation Initiatives That Support Child Development and Improve Family Economic Security: Insights From the Next Steps for Rigorous Research on Two-Generation Approaches Project
Learn about the Next Steps for Rigorous Research on Two-Generation Approaches project, which is working to build the evidence base for two-generation service delivery to improve outcomes for caregivers and their children.
Two-Generation Approach to ACEs
Explore how effectively addressing adverse childhood experiences involves a two-generation approach to break the intergenerational cycle and support the caregiver's ability to manage adversity and buffer their child's stress.
States Leading the Way: Practical Solutions That Lift Up Children and Families
Presents case studies from seven States that have instituted 2Gen frameworks in their community programs to engage families and help keep parents invested in their children's lives.
Our Two-Generation Impact: Advancing Equitable Family Well-Being, Mental Health, and Education Outcomes
Discusses the 2Gen approach, including how it can help connect families to concrete supports, such as housing, education, and employment pathways.