3.2.2 Apply intergenerational and social-network oriented approaches in policy.

Apply intergenerational and social-network oriented approaches in policy as well as in practice and programs. Policy to address a specific issue (e.g., educational attainment for children) must reflect that these issues occur in the context of families that have needs that must be addressed, and assets that can be leveraged. Family policy must recognize that non-custodial parents and extended family play a vital role in many children’s lives across the income spectrum, including low-income children. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on funding programs to teach individuals to take or not take actions, rather than on more effective policies and campaigns that encourage and enable social networks to support their members (e.g., a public health approach to shaken baby syndrome encourages neighbors to step in when they hear a baby crying incessantly to give parents a break). The impulses that systems often try to program out of people facing adversity are not unique to that context, but the ability to access social support or paid support (e.g., a babysitter) is far more attenuated in stressed communities.

Crowdsourcing What's Possible:

The principles and recommendations in this Blueprint are already being acted on by systems, organizations, communities and people across the nation. Do you have an example to share with us? Please share it!

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