#two-generation

Read Natalie's full testimony to the Senate Finance: Health and Medicaid Subcommittee here.

Providence House has been caring for children of parents struggling with substance abuse since its founding, and Ohio ranks second in the country for number of overdoses related to heroin. In the past five years, we have cared for 59 children whose parents struggled with substance abuse, including alcohol, opioids, and other drugs, and 85% of these children were reunified with their parent or guardian. Learn more about our two-generation approach to stabilizing family crisis and preserving Ohio’s families here.

This video from Futures Without Violence tells us how both positive and negative experiences can impact a child’s brain, cognitive, and social-emotional development. They suggest a number of healing gestures that adults can use to prevent or reverse damage associated with children’s exposure to violence. These include: 1. Celebrating them with a compliment 2. Comforting them by staying calm and patient 3. Listening to them 4. Collaborating with them by asking their opinions 5. Inspiring them with new ideas Providence House operates within a trauma-informed environment, and our Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioners train all staff members and volunteers to address and alleviate the symptoms of trauma for both our parents and children. Our two-generation approach helps us protect children at-risk of maltreatment, alleviate family crisis, and empower parents in their roles as nurturing caregivers. Learn more about our trauma-informed care here.

Visit our website to learn more about our plans for the future, and how we help strengthen communities by empowering families in need.

A recent Huffington Post article entitled “Moms Say, “Don’t Make Policy About Us, Without Us!” outlines an alarming disconnect between policy makers and the low-income families their policies directly impact. Many families fall victim to the “benefit cliff,” or rely on safety net programs, which are often under the threat of cuts. Some of these programs are so difficult to navigate that parents feel they were designed to make them fail – one mother even described the system as her own “Bermuda triangle.” According to the article, surveyed parents expressed a need for policies to invest in families and children. In our 35 year history, Providence House has cared for nearly 8,000 families and children in crisis with an average annual household income of less than $10,000. Over the past three years, we have seen a 110% increase in inquiries for our services. Our families come to us from more than 30 zip codes throughout Greater Cleveland, and are facing a range of crises, including poverty, homelessness, caregiver medical or mental health crisis and domestic violence. To prevent and combat the effects of these crises, we use a two-generation approach to provide support to stabilize the family and further healthy child development. Visit our website to learn more about how we empower families in crisis.

In October 2014, Natalie Leek-Nelson, Providence House President and CEO, presented on the Benefit Cliff and how it affects our clients. According to the 2013 American Community Survey, in Cleveland, 31% of households are below the Federal Poverty Line and 42% of women 18-34 years old are living in poverty. Additionally, 48% of female headed households are below the Federal Poverty Line compared to 18% of women with no children. For Tunisia (mom of two children) and Sondra (mom of four children), as they were able to earn more, they fell victim of the Benefit Cliff and saw many of the vouchers and supports that were helping their families disappear. Rather than becoming more stable, they found themselves in crisis and sought help from Providence House. Even at Cleveland’s median income of $34,282, families already stop qualifying for important benefits. Once they reach over 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, the safety net has vanished and many families find themselves in crisis. For 30% of poor children, their caregiver has a job, but the conditions of low-wage work make it difficult to be self-sufficient and can interfere with parenting. Parent and child well-being are closely linked and both generations need simultaneous supports. For parents, this translates to access to education, better jobs, pay, and benefits including extended assistance to bridge benefits gaps while moving out of poverty. For children, this requires early intervention, quality child care and education. At Providence House, we use a two-generation approach to provide support to stabilize the family and further healthy child development.

According to CLASP, "Two-generation policies reflect strong research findings that the well-being of parents is inextricably linked to children’s social-emotional, physical, and economic well-being. And at the same time, parents’ ability to succeed in school and the workplace is substantially affected by how well their children are doing." Knowing that parent and child wellbeing are linked, Providence House uses a two-generation approach which provides supports to stabilize the family and support healthy child development. Read the CLASP Policy Brief to learn more about how this approach could support large-scale change that better support families as a whole.