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.

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. Specifically, the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act will give states, local governments, and tribes more flexibility to develop programs that meet their needs.

Latest

  • 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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  • Heinrich: Bold Action Needed To Better Support NM Families And Invest In Early Childhood Education

    Following the release of the 2017 New Mexico KIDS COUNT Data Book, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) expressed serious concern about the findings and called for bold action to create economic opportunities and address the needs of both vulnerable children and their parents in New Mexico. He urged the state to invest a portion of its Land Grant Permanent Fund in the most effective early childhood programs. The report ranked the state 49th in the nation for overall child well-being for the fourth year in a row and ranked the state last in education.  Read More

  • Disastrous Tax Plan

    I oppose this shameful tax bill and the terrible process that led up to it. I remain committed to finding real, bipartisan to our nation's challenges. You can count on me to hold the Trump Administration accountable and keep fighting to invest in our communities and improve the lives of New Mexico families. … 

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  • Heinrich Backs Comprehensive Plan To Improve Access To Early Childhood Education; Make Quality, Affordable Child Care Available To Working Families

    Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, joined a coalition of Democrats in the House and Senate to unveil the Child Care for Working Families Act, a comprehensive plan to address early learning and child care issues for working families. The bill would improve access to quality early childhood education and make sure affordable child care is available to families, even at non-traditional work hours. Read More

  • Every Child, Every School

    Throughout August, I met with students and teachers across our state to talk about how we can work together to improve our education system from early childhood all the way through higher education and beyond. … 

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  • Read A Book Day

    Today marks Read a Book Day, but we should emphasize every day the importance of reading and literacy for our students. … 

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