Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act

The federal government’s current approach to poverty is not effective enough. Although we have data demonstrating what works, many of the federally funded programs intended to help families are disjointed and difficult to navigate for both families in need and for organizations trying to provide help. While multiple federal programs exist to help low-income parents and children, they have separate funding streams causing silos and fragmentation. Addressing the needs of children and parents separately and without a comprehensive strategy often leaves children or parents behind and diminishes a whole family’s chance of success. 

The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), seeks to increase opportunities for families living in poverty through programs targeting both parents and children with support aimed at increasing economic security, educational success, social capital, and health and wellbeing. By aligning and linking existing systems and funding streams, our bill will lead to improved outcomes for parents and children together while improving the effectiveness of service delivery. 

The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act will give states, local governments, and tribes more flexibility to develop programs that meet their needs. Innovative approaches in this legislation will collectively ensure that no matter your zip code, you will have an opportunity to use already existing federal resources or attract private investment to implement the two-generation approach in your community. 

Two provisions of an earlier version of the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act have already been signed into law. These provisions include a request for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue a report exploring the potential for two-generation pilots, collaboration areas, and federal funding opportunities; and a new program administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury to implement Social Impact Partnerships to improve the effectiveness of social services.

Latest

  • HEINRICH ON POVERTY AND EDUCATION

    Late last week, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) held a press conference to note the introduction of two powerful pieces of legislation designed to ameliorate multigenerational poverty in New Mexico and the rest of the US, too. Read More

  • Heinrich Introduces Pathways To Health Careers Act

    WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has introduced the Pathways to Health Careers Act that builds on the success of the Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program using the same two-generation approach that combines job training with critical family supports that low-income parents need to succeed in achieving their health care career goals. Read More

  • THURSDAY: Heinrich To Hold Press Call On Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Initiatives

    WASHINGTON - On Thursday, March 5 at 2:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will hold a teleconference for reporters to discuss the introduction of the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act and the Pathways to Health Careers Act. Both bills use a "two-generation" approach to helping families in New Mexico and across the nation escape multigenerational poverty. Read More

  • Heinrich, Collins Introduce Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act

    WASHINGTON -- Today U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) reintroduced the bipartisan Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act to increase opportunities for families living in poverty. The bill aligns and links existing systems and funding streams to target both parents and children with support aimed at increasing economic security, educational success, social capital, and the health and wellbeing of whole families. Read More

  • VIDEO: In Joint Economic Hearing, Heinrich Calls For Two-Generation Approach To Increase Opportunities For Families Living In Poverty

    Sept. 10, 2019) - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined fellow colleagues on the Joint Economic Committee for a hearing, "Making it More Affordable to Raise a Family," to highlight taking a two-generation approach to increase opportunities for families living in poverty through programs that target both parents and children. Senator Heinrich also discussed the need for paid family leave and closing the gender wage gap. Read More

  • Heinrich: Urgent Action Needed To Improve Child Well-Being In NM, New State Leadership Presents Opportunity

    Jan. 15, 2019) - Today, as New Mexico Voices for Children released its annual New Mexico KIDS COUNT Data Book detailing the most recent data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation on child well-being in the state, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) expressed serious concern with the findings and called on state leaders to make investing in New Mexico's children a top priority. Although there were improvements over the last year, New Mexico remains near the bottom in the nation in numerous indicators of child poverty and well-being. Read More

  • Heinrich Office, City Of Carlsbad, Carlsbad Department Of Development & NM Morgage Finance Authority To Host Carlsbad Housing Summit

    ROSWELL, N.M. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich's Office, the City of Carlsbad, the Carlsbad Department of Development and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority will host a Housing Summit on Wednesday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts & Exhibition Center in Carlsbad, N.M. This event is part of ongoing efforts to address the housing crisis in Carlsbad by providing the public with information about housing resources. There will be federal, state, and local agencies and other organizations on hand who can provide information about their services for those seeking to know more about affordable housing opportunities. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit participant booths for housing information and hear from speakers. The Housing Summit is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Please help spread the word!  Read More

  • Heinrich To Deliver Remarks On Tackling Multigenerational Poverty

     Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 2 p.m. MT/ 4 p.m. ET, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, will deliver remarks at the National Association of Counties Briefing on Tackling Multigenerational Cycles of Poverty and discuss how counties can work with federal partners to achieve two-generation outcomes at the local level. Read More

  • Our Children Can't Wait

    I will never stop believing in the boundless potential of the next generation of New Mexicans. But it is clear that to tap into that potential, bold action is needed to invest in early childhood education. It is long past time to put New Mexico's $17.5 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund to work for early childhood education and ensure children have the resources they need to succeed. This week, the New Mexico State House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment to do just that. I am calling on the State Senate to follow their lead. … 

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