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Federal Resources on Two-Generation Approaches for Human Services

This web page provides information and resources about developing and implementing two-generation approaches from federal agencies for state and local governments and non-governmental organizations. These resources were compiled by the Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Interagency Council on Economic Mobility (Council) following a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

As announced in HHS's 2020 Congressional Justification, HHS is leading the development and establishment of the Council, which is composed of the heads of member agencies (HHS; the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, Labor, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Treasury; the Social Security Administration; and the Council of Economic Advisors) or their delegates. HHS will also serve as the first Council chair.

As an administratively established group, the Council is constrained to activities and authorities contained in current law. As an interagency group, the Council is focusing on areas that are crosscutting, issues that cannot be accomplished by a single agency on its own, seeking to create an accountable and effective structure for interagency collaboration and using federal authorities to promote family-sustaining careers and economic mobility for low-income Americans.

What are the Two-Generation Approaches for Human Services?

Two-generation approaches, sometimes called 2Gen, bring together multiple programs and services to support both parents and children in low-income families. Also known as whole-family approaches, two-generation strategies may be implemented by federal, state, or local government agencies or by non-governmental organizations as a means of aligning resources to promote economic opportunity, to reduce poverty, and to build family self-sufficiency. Pairing supports for children and parents can potentially lead to better outcomes compared to delivering each service separately.