Focused on addressing inequities and building more sustainable and vital futures for low-income families in Washington, D.C., and the state of Maryland, colleagues from Health Management Associates (HMA) authored two case studies under the auspices of Ascend at the Aspen Institute, a hub for breakthrough ideas and collaborations that move children and their parents toward educational success and economic security.
The case studies, Two-Generation Approach to Leveraging TANF: DC as a Case Study for Policymakers and State 2Gen Model: Maryland as a Case Study for Policymakers, were developed by HMA Managing Principal Uma Ahluwalia and Research Assistant Sarina Coates-Golden and are based on research of the programs and experiences in both jurisdictions and mapping each of their 2Gen journeys. The focus in both reports was to showcase innovative and 2Gen responsive policies and practices related to families living in poverty and the inter-generational approach to ensuring socio-economic mobility for families.
Ascend takes a two-generation approach to projects including children and their parents together to focus on responsive needs of families. The D.C. case study acknowledges the ongoing work of integrating benefits eligibility with workforce development through a 2Gen lens and its success while addressing issues like homelessness, economic inequities and policies impacting families at risk. In Maryland, the focus of the work has been on expanding community programs to encompass a statewide multi-sectoral effort across human service, labor, housing and non-profit partners to also address socio-economic mobility for low-income and at-risk Maryland families.