About Whole Family Approach
Whole Family Approach (WFA) is a framework designed to build family well-being by intentionally and strategically working with children and the adults in their lives simultaneously. As children, caregivers, and families grow and change across their lifespan, a Whole Family Approach to service delivery will align opportunities to help families address their unique needs and pursue their personal goals. Providing integrated, high-quality, individualized supports to caregivers and children simultaneously through a Whole Family Approach improves both adult and child social and economic well-being, producing a legacy of multi-generational well-being for the family.
2Gen approaches recognize whole family units – as families define themselves – to consider the variety of pathways for promoting positive, pragmatic, and effective outcomes for everyone. We work with families as experts and meaningfully engage parents and caregivers in designing policies and programs that affect them in order to develop holistic, integrated, and equity-focused solutions. This family-centered lens helps to immediately identify whole families’ needs and goals to inform integrations and alignments to programs that serve them, which maximizes long-term impact for families and communities.
Many programs focus solely on the child or the parent(s), but 2Gen approaches do not focus exclusively on either a child’s development or isolate an adult’s needs because their well-being is interconnected and interdependent. 2Gen approaches aim to integrate services and supports to move the whole family forward, benefiting both the child and the adult(s) in their lives.
Key Components of Well-Being
Well-being is a multifaceted process and lifelong pursuit. An individual’s or family’s well-being isn’t a solo endeavor, and financial, social, mental, and spiritual health depends on a person and family’s context, the resources and opportunities available to them, and the support of others. 2Gen approaches have a robust vision to improve conditions for families by coordinating equitable access to the systems and structures necessary to thrive economically and socially. Ultimately, 2Gen approaches recognize six key components to improve families’ financial stability, social capital, health care, and quality education.
Source: Ascend Aspen Institute
Two-Generation (#2Gen) Approaches Center Whole Families
Child-Focused with Parent & Caregiver Elements
This could include early childhood development with parenting skills; family literacy with health screenings; and/or other child-focused services that also identify ways to support the adults in their lives.
Parent-& Caregiver- Focused with Child Elements
Two-generation (2Gen) approaches build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together.
This could include workforce programs offering child care referrals; food and nutrition supports for students parents: and/or other adult-focused services that also identify ways to support their role as parents or caregivers.
The Six Key Components of Two-Generation Approaches
Two-generation (2Gen) approaches build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together.
Early Childhood Education
Head Start
Early Head Start
Child Care Partnerships
PreK
Home Visiting
Family, Friend, and Neighbor care (FFN)
Social Capital
Peer and family networks
Coaching
Cohort Strategies
K-12
Kindergarten ready
3rd grade reading skills
Parent engagement
Graduation and Postsecondary prep
Postsecondary & Employment Pathways
Community College
Training and credentials
Workforce partnerships
Employer partnerships
Economic Assets
Asset building
Housing and public supports
Financial Capacity
Transport
Health, including Mental Health
Mental, physical and behavioral health
Coverage and access to care
Adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress
In accordance with federal civil rights laws, regulations, and policies, Community Action, Inc. is prohibited from discriminating against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, religious creed, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity when providing services.
Community Action, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Source: Ascend Aspen Institute
In accordance with federal civil rights laws, regulations, and policies, Community Action, Inc. is prohibited from discriminating against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, religious creed, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity when providing services.
Community Action, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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