Top 10 for 2Gen

Anne Mosle, Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Marjorie Sims, Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Celinda Lake, Lake Research Partners

Vince Breglio, Breglio and Associates

Karen Crompton, Voices for Utah Children

Liane Wong, David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, National Alliance for Hispanic Families

Elaine Zimmerman, Connecticut Commission on Children

October 8, 2014

Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Elevate & invest in a portfolio of solutions

Build leaders & networks

Engage the voices of

families to inform policies & programs

What we do

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Principles to Guide 2-Gen Policies

1. Measure and account for outcomes for both

children and their parents.

2. Engage and listen to the voices of families.

3. Foster innovation and evidence together.

4. Align and link systems and funding streams.

6. Ensure equity.

5. Prioritize intentional implementation.

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. Bundled services: Promote cross-system collaboration and partnership

among human services agencies and institutions of higher education.

5. Financial Aid: Increase postsecondary education access and completion

through institutional financial aid reform and policies that more accurately reflect the needs of enrolled student parents.

Postsecondary Ed/Workforce, Health & Well-Being, & Social Capital

6. Workforce partnerships: Use the recently passed Workforce Innovation

and Opportunity Act to make state and local changes that enable two-generation support.

7. TANF: Redesign Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for

21st century families — mothers or fathers, married or single..

8. Strengthening Families: Strengthen family connections through support

and promotion of work opportunities for noncustodial parents.

9. Health Care Coverage: Leverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act to

improve economic security and family health and well-being.

10. Mental Health: Maximize opportunities for whole-family diagnosis &

treatment.

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Since 2011, Ascend at the Aspen Institute has invested in bipartisan, national focus groups and polls with low-income mothers, fathers, women, men, and adolescents across race and ethnicity around the United States. Seeking to capture and elevate the experiences, dreams, challenges, and voices of low-income families, Ascend has used this rich series, “Voices for Two-Generation Success,” to inform a robust practice and policy agenda, including “Top 10 for 2-Gen.” More findings from this series can be found here: http://ascend.aspeninstitute.org/pages/new-focus-group-findings

Voices for Two-Generation Success

November 7, 2014 Lake Research Partners Washington, DC | Berkeley, CA | New York, NY LakeResearch.com

202.776.9066

Celinda Lake clake@lakeresearch.com

@celindalake

Public Support for Two-Generation Programs Findings from a national survey commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Methodology

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Ascend at the Aspen Institute commissioned Lake Research Partners to conduct this national omnibus survey of 1,005 adults over the age of 18 nationwide in the continental United States. The survey was conducted from September 18-21, 2014, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1% at the 95% confidence interval. The margin of error is higher among subgroups.

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Support For a Two-Generation

Approach

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Americans overwhelmingly believe a two-generation approach is most effective.

Federal/State Programs to Help People Get Out of Poverty: Which is Most Effective?

• Programs targeted to PARENTS to help them get the skills and education necessary to get a good paying job • Programs targeted to CHILDREN to help them get a quality education that prepares them for the job market • Programs targeted to BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN to help each get the education and training they need • We do not need any more programs

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Even in these tax sensitive times, Americans favor a two generation approach to bring people out of poverty.

One program designed to help people who are living in poverty get out of poverty targets both parents and their children, so that parents get education and skills training to get a better job and at the same time their children get a good start with head start, early education, and quality schools…

…even if it increased your taxes.

89

70

9

28

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Strong support for a two-generation approach exists across demographics.

One program designed to help people who are living in poverty get out of poverty targets both parents and their children, so that parents get education and skills training to get a better job and at the same time their children get a good start with head start, early education, and quality schools…

…even if it increased your taxes.

Total Oppose Total Favor Total Oppose Total Favor

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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2014 voters strongly support a two-generation approach.

One program designed to help people who are living in poverty get out of poverty targets both parents and their children, so that parents get education and skills training to get a better job and at the same time their children get a good start with head start, early education, and quality schools…

…even if it increased your taxes.

81 74

13 19

2014 LRP Election Eve/Night Omnibus Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Majorities across party lines favor a two-generation approach even if it would raise their taxes. Republicans are more tax sensitive but favor by more than 2:1.

One program designed to help people who are living in poverty get out of poverty targets both parents and their children, so that parents get education and skills training to get a better job and at the same time their children get a good start with head start, early education, and quality schools…

…even if it increased your taxes.

Total Oppose Total Favor Total Oppose Total Favor

2014 LRP Election Eve/Night Omnibus

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Early Childhood

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Americans across demographics believe investing in a parent’s economic well-being will help their children succeed.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: If we want to make sure low income children are successful in their early learning, then we have to also invest in

their parent's economic well-being.

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Disagree Total Agree

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Voters across party lines believe investing in a parent’s economic well-being will help their children succeed.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: If we want to make sure low income children are successful in their early learning, then we have to also invest in

their parent's economic well-being.

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Disagree Total Agree

2014 LRP Election Eve/Night Omnibus Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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People strongly agree that Head Start and Early Head Start should partner to help parents. It is a core value. Head Start and Early Head Start are two federal programs that ensure access to quality early learning education for low-income children. Do you agree or disagree that these programs

should also partner with organizations that help the parents of low-income children further their education and receive job training?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Disagree Total Agree

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Overwhelming majorities strongly favor home visiting programs offering parents information on education and employment.

Currently states run home visiting programs that provide services to low-income pregnant women and parents of young children in their home to encourage child health and

development. Do you favor or oppose these programs offering parents information on education, workforce training, and employment opportunities?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Oppose Total Favor

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Americans favor simplifying the application process to determine eligibility across programs.

Do you favor or oppose simplifying the application process to public assistance for low-income parents, so that one application can determine eligibility across

multiple programs?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Oppose Total Favor

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Majorities across demographic lines favor extending childcare subsidies to parents in college or training programs.

Do you favor or oppose making parents enrolled in college or workforce training programs eligible for state-funded childcare subsidies?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Oppose Total Favor

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Americans oppose reducing or eliminating subsidies when a parent gets a raise.

Do you favor or oppose child care subsidies being reduced or eliminated when a working low-income parent receives a raise in wages even if the raise does not

equal the amount of the subsidy?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Oppose Total Favor

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Postsecondary Education

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Americans favor policies that would help students enrolled in colleges who have young children.

Nearly 25 percent of college students, or 4 million people, are parents. Do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Providing access for low-income students who have young children to career services and childhood development programs through their school.

Extending the hours for career services and childhood development programs for students who have young children to better match working-parent's schedules.

Creating partnerships between private, state, and community colleges and universities with government and non-profit organizations to provide services for low-income students who have young children.

Including childcare expenses in determining financial aid eligibility for low-income students with young children.

Providing low-income students who have young children year-round access to financial aid plans for certificate programs so that they can maintain full-time student status. Oppose Favor

Total Favor By Party Identification

Dem Ind Rep

92 84 85

92 85 86

93 79 82

90 74 83

89 75 77

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Economic Supports and Human Services

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Majorities across demographics favor allowing workforce training and education count toward work requirements.

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Oppose Total Favor

Currently, low-income parents of young children qualify for government programs only if they work at least 20 hours per week. Do you favor or oppose allowing

workforce training and education programs beyond high school to count as part of this 20 hour weekly work requirement?

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Health and Well-Being

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Overwhelming majorities agree mental health screenings should be offered to parents & their children at the same time, again a core value.

Currently health insurance and Medicaid cover mental health preventive screenings for parents and children who are enrolled. Do you agree or disagree that mental health screenings and services would significantly benefit the whole family if offered to both parents and their children at the same time?

Darker Colors Indicate Intensity

Total Disagree Total Agree

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Putting this to Work

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

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Do’s and Don’ts Notes

Say Two Generation Don’t say Dual Generation

Both are somewhat abstract, but for participants Two-generation sounds more like it describes a family. (Some thought dual generation referred to an electric company).

Focus on “pursuing dreams”* Avoid talking about “success”

Parents want their children to pursue their dreams and be happy. “Success” comes across as an elitist goal that excludes blue-collar career paths.

Talk about programs and policies benefiting everyone (say “single parents”) Don’t talk about programs as targeted (“single mothers”)

People think everyone is struggling, so a targeted program will leave out people (children) in need of help. Programs can be targeted, but descriptions should be inclusive.

Message Tips

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Analysis: Vince Breglio & Associates

Reflections on Lake Research Findings: •Clearly demonstrates widespread support for the

effectiveness of a two-generation approach to lift families out of poverty by including both parents and children together in assistance programs. •This common sense approach to addressing poverty

appeals to both sides of the political aisle and nearly all demographic cohorts. •Establishes proof of concept for moving forward with

possible changes to the law.

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Analysis: Clusters of Support

•Two-Gen Embracers •Strongly supportive of all 13 questions which touch on serving children and parents as a unit. •Bipartisan but more democrats •Younger with more men and women under age 50 than other audiences •More support among African Americans and Hispanics

•Subdued Supporters

•Somewhat less enthusiastic in their intensity of support but still generally supportive of this policy with a couple of exceptions. •More Republicans than Democrats •More college graduates

•Questioning Opposition

•Not supportive of two-gen policies but not yet solidly opposed either. •More Republicans than Democrats

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Analysis: Message Tips

• Be mindful that even among Two-Gen Embracers there is a need to reinforce the value of two-generation policies. oTwo out of three Two-Gen Embracers choose “programs

targeted to both parents and children to help each get the education and training they need.”

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Analysis: Message Tips

• Understand that as you engage on these policies, initially Republicans will be more apt to support parent-targeted programs. The questions which have the highest probability of drawing Republicans in the Subdued Support cohort closer to those in the Two-Gen Embracers include the following: oExtending the hours for career services and childhood

development oState-run home visiting programs. oProviding access for low income students. oCreating partnerships between colleges and universities with

government and nonprofit organizations.

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Analysis: Message Tips

• On the other hand, the following questions are likely to be the most difficult to convince moderate Republicans in the Subdued Support audience to accept: oSimplifying the application process for public assistance. oReduced subsidies when a low-income parent receives a raise

in wages. oEconomic supports and human services.

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Bipartisan Analysis: Opportunities Ahead

Going forward there are opportunities to: • Simplify descriptions of complex policies; • Listen for opposition arguments; • Probe efficiency argument

Research Commissioned by Ascend at the Aspen Institute

The 2-Gen Field: Stay Engaged!

Join us for upcoming webinars on two-generation solutions: •Postsecondary Success and Two-Generation Approaches: November 18, 12pm – 1:15pm ET

•United Ways for 2-Gen: December 10, 12pm – 1:00pm ET

Get copies of Top 10 for 2-Gen: Frances.robinson@aspeninstitute.org

Visit our website: http://ascend.aspeninstitute.org/