Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act

The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act, which I introduced with Senator 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.

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.

I’m proud that portions of our legislation have already successfully passed. We have made great strides in bringing communities and service providers together to implement two-generation strategies. Communities around the country now have an opportunity to attract private investment to implement the two-generation approach across multiple systems. We have also called on the federal government to review the effectiveness of different poverty reduction strategies and programs that can be replicated in communities across the nation.

I will continue working to provide states, local governments, and tribes more flexibility to develop innovative two-generation programs that meet their needs and help all their families reach success.

Latest

  • 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

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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

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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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