2Gen Convening Conference in Lancaster
CAAP Staff joined the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County at the 2Gen Convening Conference in Lancaster where we heard from Sarah Haight, from Ascend with the Aspen Institute, CAP staff, and several other community leaders who highlighted key examples of the 2Gen approach in action!
You might be wondering, “what is the two-generation approach?” The two-generation (2Gen) approach is a framework for intentionally and effectively building on the existing strengths, resources and motivation of families and the community to create a clearer pathway towards economic mobility, prosperity and thriving for families. The 2Gen approach recognizes whole family units, as families define themselves, in order to understand the multiple dimensions of family with the overall goal of the family’s well-being.
A 2Gen approach can look many ways in practice. Maybe it is a program that connects childcare centers with community colleges to provide childcare for parents who are in school, or maybe it is a program where pregnant inmates at a state prison are assigned a doula during and after pregnancy who advises on prenatal care. This framework supports our work and continues the conversation of the social determinants of health that we had at our CAAP conference a few weeks ago because it looks at the family holistically. By shifting our mindset, looking at the family across generations, asking and listening to parents about their needs, and sharing what we learn with each other, the 2Gen framework can create great opportunities.
Thank you to CAP for bringing everyone together and hosting an insightful conversation! The Community Action Partnership is Lancaster County’s largest anti-poverty organization with programs that assist families at every age and place in life. CAP is committed to creating innovative, person-centered initiatives, including social enterprise businesses and programs that advance the social and economic mobility of families. To learn more about CAP, visit their website: https://caplanc.org/