Two-Generation Opportunities: Washington Metro Region

Anne Mosle and Sarah HaightJuly 16, 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

Hard work. Equal pay. Optimism. The American dream…

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?

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The Washington Metro Region joins the state of Colorado; Sarasota County, Florida; and Evanston, Illinois as a community of two-generation momentum. Why?• Under the new Census poverty calculation, a family living in or around

Washington could earn almost $10,000 a year above the federal poverty level of $23,550 for a family of four and still be poor.

• Like most big cities, the District of Columbia has a higher rate of poverty than the surrounding suburbs. Today, it is 2.5x in DC than in the region as a whole. But poverty isn't confined to the central city. The total number of poor people living in the region's suburbs today (370,000) exceeds the number living in DC (102,000).

• Where there is great need, there is great opportunity: strong philanthropic and nonprofit leadership; civically engaged community; access to national experts.

Communities of Momentum: Washington Metro Region

Core components

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Programs

Policies

Research

Applying two-generation approaches

Key implementation issues

SegmentationPartnerships: Build, Buy, or

Broker

High-Touch Role

Data-driven Design

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

Postsecondary educationMeasuring impact

Evidence Building:Executive function

Cultural competenceTechnology and apps

Justice-involved families

Ascend Network themes

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For Discussion Today

1. How does a two-generation framework fit into the mission and vision of your organization?

2. Who is the population you serve, and how might you partner or collaborate to serve two generations more effectively?

3. What are the key components of your two-generation work?

4. What is your greatest opportunity to create two-generation change, and what is the greatest challenge?

Opportunities for Engagement

1. Washington Metro Region blog strategy: Contribute to nationally-recognized virtual platform on local two-generation strategies.

2. Participate in semi-quarterly strategy meetings: Ascend will next host a Washington Metro Region strategy session in November 2014.

3. Share tools and products with the Ascend Network: Share forms, tools, and briefs that highlight two-generation findings or partnership lessons with the Ascend Network. Website: ascend.aspeninstitute.orgTwitter: @aspenascend