This series of policy briefs focuses on three basic TANF components: cash assistance, block grants, and work participation rates. The briefs, geared toward policymakers, practitioners, and advocates within all levels of government, explain the components and describe the changes and adaptations to TANF since its inception in 1996.

The belief that those who work hard can achieve success has made Americans more tolerant of inequality than citizens in other advanced nations. However, to succeed, Americans need the opportunity to get ahead. In a report from the Brookings Institution and the Economic Mobility Project, Brookings Scholars Julia Isaacs, Ron Haskins, and Isabel Sawhill summarize research and present new evidence regarding the extent of intergenerational economic mobility in the U.S. and the factors that impact it.

In this report from Ascend at the Aspen Institute, the authors outline the emerging case for two-generation approaches to moving parents and families toward economic security. The report outlines key trends and data that are prompting the need for this approach. Data suggests that more than one in five U.S. children live in poverty, a connection exists between maternal education and child outcomes, and women and children in single-mother families have disproportionately high rates of poverty. Ascend identified three components in its equation for two-generation approaches: education + economic supports + social capital; a combination of these three components can lead to successful two-generation policies.

This article from the Future of Children Collaboration examines programs with an explicitly two-generation approach. The authors look at these past and current programs’ efficacy, and although the more recent two-generation programs are too young to have clear evidence, they found that the justification for these programs is strong and their early results are promising. Now is the time to innovate, experiment, and further study this two-generation approach.

Produced by the National Head Start Association with support from the Ascend project at The Aspen Institute, this report highlights six case studies from Head Start and Early Head Start programs that have implemented two-generation approaches within their programs. Each case study includes information on the project design, funding, partnerships, research, and future plans. Finally, an analysis of funding, partnerships, and research across all the programs is provided for a broad perspective.

This paper published by the Institute for Research on Poverty examines the effect of Medicaid expansions on intergenerational economic mobility. Using new data, the authors utilize the uneven Medicaid eligibility expansions across states to isolate the effect of this policy change on various mobility outcomes. The research led to the conclusion that Medicaid expansions increase the probability that children born to low-income parents experience absolute upward mobility. Furthermore, early exposure to health insurance may be influential in promoting intergenerational mobility and economic opportunity.

The report from First Focus provides a historical context and lessons learned on two-generation approaches to reducing poverty. The author discusses three policy areas to implement two-generation approaches, including Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training, and TANF.

Two Generations. One Future: An Anthology from the Ascend Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, edited by Dr. Christopher King, Dr. P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, and Dr. Mario Small, offers insights into 2-Gen 2.0 approaches spearheaded by 20 leaders from across sectors, including the fields of human services, mental health, justice-involved families, and early childhood. It is divided into four sections: 1) Underpinnings of two-generation strategies, 2) Addressing and empowering families, 3) Innovative policies and programs, and 4) Evaluating and fostering two-generation strategies. Led by the inaugural class of Aspen Institute Ascend Fellows, the Anthology offers the latest and most comprehensive picture of the two-generation field and its challenges, successes, and lessons.