By Liz Blake
Families are the heartbeat of Georgia, critical to the flourishing and economic health of our state. Despite their unique characteristics, I’ve come to believe there is one truth that resonates with all families: Parents cannot thrive if their children are in crisis and a child cannot succeed if his or her parents are struggling.
This is why “Two Generation,” or” 2Gen” state policies and programs are crucial. A 2Gen framework strengthens family wellbeing by working with children and their parents or caregivers at the same time.
As Georgia’s General Assembly considers its priorities for the current legislative session, I encourage our legislators to recognize the exponential impact of investing in the youngest Georgians (0-3) through a 2Gen lens:
- Children’s brain development prenatally to age three is more rapid and consequential than at any other time of life. High-quality early education establishes a foundation that helps children to “read to learn” by third grade, graduate from high school, and eventually, become productive members of Georgia’s workforce.
- Almost 70% of Georgia’s children ages zero to five live in households in which one or both of their parents are in the workforce. Yet childcare challenges are significant. In a 2025 statewide survey of parents of young children, commissioned by GEEARS, 44% indicated that child care problems compelled them or their partner to turn down a job and 36% reported they left the workforce entirely due to child care challenges. If we do not address issues of child care accessibility, quality, and affordability, Georgia’s families and Georgia’s economy will suffer.
The beauty of early childhood investment, when done thoughtfully, is that it supports the entire family. When parents are confident their little ones are well cared for, they’re better able to succeed in the workplace. They generate financial security, which benefits the health, stability, and well-being of themselves and their children with ripple effects reaching their neighborhoods, communities, and beyond.
I am proud to be a part of a robust philanthropic sector in Georgia investing in 2Gen models of early childhood development and maternal and child mental health and wellbeing. Since 2019, Georgia’s philanthropic partners have collectively granted over $114 million in philanthropic funding to support early education programs (birth to five) through scholarships, capital funds, and early literacy and childhood development initiatives. But private philanthropy alone is insufficient to support our nonprofit partners on the frontlines and to address the depth of challenges facing Georgia’s families.
Our state, with its $9 billion unrestricted budget surplus, has the capacity and the opportunity to invest in all of Georgia’s youngest children.
Georgia is also lucky to have groups like GEEARS and Voices for Georgia’s Children to help guide policy and systems to ensure that our families flourish. Georgia also has incredible 2Gen leadership in place, thanks to the Georgia Children’s Cabinet, which promotes 2Gen collaboration across state agencies. I hope our legislators will seriously consider the 2Gen policies being championed by GEEARS, Voices, and the philanthropic sector in the legislative session:
Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)
There is currently only enough funding for 7% of eligible families to receive CAPS child care subsidies. Expenses are skyrocketing and child care challenges cost the state an estimated $2.52 billion annually in lost economic activity and an additional loss of almost $132 million in tax revenue. We must invest more in CAPS to help families participate in the economy.
Home Visiting
Evidence-based home visiting has been shown to help prevent prematurity, low birthweight, and child maltreatment. The service connects families to vital resources and is an incredibly cost-effective way to ensure that parents and their babies receive the care they need, potentially mitigating the need for future interventions. This 2Gen approach can truly be a lifesaver for families, especially for rural Georgians living in healthcare deserts.
Housing Protections for Families
One in five Georgia children lives in poverty and over 13,000 children under age three are estimated to be experiencing homelessness. At a time when consistency and stability can literally impact brain development, it is chilling to know that children under age five are the most vulnerable to eviction. Further, lack of safe, affordable housing is the 3rd most frequent cause for children to be removed from families and enter the child welfare system. Georgia must enhance tenant protections and support effective housing voucher programming, ensuring that, above all, our babies have a safe, secure place to sleep each night.
Philanthropists and elected officials share common goals. We want to make sound societal investments with proven potential for ROI. We want our investments to reflect both the needs and the will of our communities. I hope my own elected officials will champion the 2Gen policies that can make an exponential impact on families. I believe that, working together and sharing the load, philanthropy, local government and nonprofit partners can strengthen Georgia’s families, helping both our children and our economy to flourish.
Liz and Frank Blake have been active leaders in the philanthropic community in Atlanta for many years both in their professional careers and in retirement. Liz served as Habitat for Humanity’s senior vice president, Advocacy, Government Affairs, and General Counsel for nine years. After retiring in late 2014, Liz continued to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity International, making over fifty trips to Haiti to secure tenure and land rights and address gender issues impacting development. Prior to 2006, Liz was executive vice president and general counsel of US Airways, Trizec Properties and GE Power Systems. She was also vice president and chief of staff of Cinergy Corp., now part of Duke Energy. Liz serves on the boards of Green Brick Partners, Inc. (GRBK NYSE), the Marcus Autism Center, Enterprise Community Partners, Skyland Trail, and the Westminster Schools. She previously served ten years on the board of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; is a past chair of the Ohio Board of Regents and of the Carter Center’s Board of Councilors. Liz is a graduate of Smith College and Columbia University School of Law.
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The post The 2Gen Approach: How Philanthropy and State Government Can Invest Together in Georgia’s Youngest Children and a Stronger Economy appeared first on SaportaReport.
