Summary of the Two-Generation Model Approach

The Two-Generation (2Gen) model is an integrated, family-centered strategy designed to break the cycle of poverty by simultaneously addressing the needs of both parents and their children. Rather than delivering services in silos, the model aligns and coordinates supports across multiple domains—education, economic stability, health, and family well-being—benefiting both generations within the same framework.

Key components of the 2Gen model include high-quality early childhood education, postsecondary education and workforce training for parents, financial coaching and asset-building, access to healthcare, and opportunities to build social capital through community engagement and peer support. Programs typically involve intensive family coaching or case management, which ensures individualized support and accountability.

Evidence from programs in Virginia and across the United States demonstrates that the two-generation approach can lead to meaningful improvements. Parents show increased educational attainment, employment, and income, while children benefit from improved school readiness, academic outcomes, and overall well-being. Initiatives such as Virginia’s Whole Family Approach and the CHIP program illustrate successful local implementations. National examples like CAP Tulsa’s CareerAdvance and the Jeremiah

Program reinforce the model’s effectiveness in diverse contexts.

Funders and policymakers favor the 2Gen model for its ability to produce multi-generational outcomes, reduce systemic barriers, and yield high returns on investment. Its growing adoption reflects a broader recognition that strengthening families requires supporting both generations together in a coordinated and holistic manner.