Two Generation Programs Supporting Career Pathways: What are Your Thoughts?

A recent article about Two Generation programs, or programs which "focus on ways to help both the child and parent... through targeted education and career training and other vital support such as health services, mentoring, and transportation" (NPR, A Path Out Of Poverty: Career Training + Quality Head Start). 

The NPR article highlights one 'two generation" program in Oklahoma, called Career Advance.  It supports low-income parents through Head Start for their children, in conjunction with career training in nursing and other health care fields needed in the state.  This article includes an interview with two researchers who conducted a first year impact study of Tulsa's Career Advance.  The interview highlights many of the successes of this program model during its first year. 

Are two generation programs something that you and your program partners have considered, or tried?  If so, what has been your experience?  If not, what are some challenges that have prevented you, or that you need to think through in order to move forward with this type of career training model?

Best,

Mike Cruse

Career Pathways Moderator

michaelcruse74@gmail.com

 

Comments

Hi all, 

The Illinois Secretary of State Literacy Office provides funding for families through their Penny Severns Family Literacy grant. The Family Literacy Grant partners adult education programs, community organizations, k-12 public schools, and libraries. The adult education component focuses on increasing the literacy level of the adult while also providing a foundation for workplace skills. The components of this grant also include improved childhood education, parent and child together time, parenting education, and library skills. My experience in facilitating programs like this is that parents are much more engaged in the program. The impact is significant as their skills, along with their children's academic and social skills improve. This model is very successful and the impact on the community is significant. 

Kathy Tracey