2018: PGCC Partners with the County Department of Social Services on Two-Generation Family Economic Security Pilot Program

Published: June 22, 2018

PGCC Partners with the County Department of Social Services on Two-Generation Family Economic Security Pilot Program

Article by: Tabresha B. Langham

For Immediate Release

Lieutenant Governor Boyd D. Rutherford Visited PGCC
Friday, June 22, 2018 to Announce The Next Step Program Pilot

LARGO, Md. (June 22, 2018) -- Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) is partnering with Prince George’s County Department of Social Services on a Two-Generation (2Gen) Family Economic Security Commission pilot, The Next Step Program. Next Step began in 2001, and was recently identified as a service program that currently aligns with the Commission’s goal to mitigate multigenerational poverty in Maryland.

Two-generation policies are developed based on the ideal that children and parents’ futures are intertwined. Parents who experience educational, financial, social, and health issues are likely to pass those issues to the next generation. Thus, 2Gen policies create opportunities that break the intergenerational poverty cycle by investing in programs that support children and their parents.

Next Step addresses academic challenges and provides professional development through enrichment activities and exposure to educational and vocational learning environments. Participants in the program receive free tuition, professional career counseling, and academic advising. In addition, they are able to establish goals for their families, finances, education, and health, which help to improve the trajectory of their livelihoods, eliminate barriers to education, and increase their job readiness.

Former Next Step participant, Sharon Williams, gave her testimonial at the community announcement. The program gave her the confidence to provide for her three children and ensure that they did not face similar hardships. "It's okay to fall down," she said. "The program gave me the tools to be able to stand back up."

Prince George’s Community College Career and Transitions Programs Director Cecelia Knox joined Prince George’s County Department of Social Services Director Gloria Brown to provide an overview of Next Step. Lieutenant Governor Boyd D. Rutherford and other state and local officials also gave remarks.

About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 40,000 individuals annually, the college is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enable PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands. For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org.The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.