US Department of Health and Human ServicesOther Resources
Policymakers can play an important role in supporting and developing effective Responsible Fatherhood programs that can benefit an entire community as well as individual families. These resources are designed to assist policymakers in that role.
Governing for Children and Families Dads in the Mix: The Future of Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives– Chapin Hall
Matthew Stagner, executive director of Chapin Hall, presented research that dispels the myth that low-income fathers are not involved with their children. Other panelists discussed characteristics of effective father engagement programs and how Georgia established a statewide fatherhood initiative that includes local programs and the cooperation of state agencies.
Noncustodial Parents: Summaries of Research, Grants and Practices
Much of the success of the Federal child support program is contingent upon the ability or willingness of noncustodial parents (NCPs) to provide financial support for their children. As a result, OCSE has an established track record of supporting demonstration and research projects focused on testing innovative program practices that enable NCPs to assume personal responsibility (financial and emotional) for their children.
Highlights of numerous demonstration and research projects funded by this office in recent years. This report contains information on projects related to:
- Fatherhood and Employment and Training;
- Child Access and Visitation;
- Incarceration and Re-Entry; and
- NCP-related Projects In Progress.
Resources from Online Library
- Restoring Fathers to Families and Communities: SIX STEPS for Policymakers - This guide was developed by the Social Policy Action Network to help fill the gap in information available for state and local officials about what they can do, legislatively and administratively, to help fathers help their children. Each of the six steps offered include a menu of policy options and provide detailed examples of what states, communities, and nonprofits nationwide are already doing to promote responsible fatherhood.
- Seven Core Learnings on Fatherhood - FRIENDS National
Resource Center For Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention.
The National Center on Fathers and Families identified seven lessons that should be considered by policymakers and researchers concerned with the role of fathers in family life, including a brief explanation of issues related to the diversity of ways in which fathers demonstrate care for their families. - Economic Support and the Dilemma of Teen Fathers - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Helen Bader School of Social Welfare.
Journal of Health and Social Policy. Teen fathers continue to present dilemmas for policymakers because of their status as minors, lack of understanding of the policy implications for parenthood, lack of skills, and high unemployment rates. Young men face several barriers to involvement with their children, including physical separation, conflicts with the child's mother, rejection from family members because of their inability to provide financial support, misperceptions of health care providers, and developmental stage. - Fatherhood Programs and Public Policy - Center on Fathers, Families, and Public Policy.
Designed for social service providers, this document reviews public policies affecting fatherhood programs and offers recommendations for programs. It begins by discussing the impact of federal public policy on fatherhood programs and the inclusion of marriage promotion in social welfare policy. The trend towards stricter enforcement of child support requirements is noted, barriers impeding collaboration between fatherhood programs and social welfare programs are explored, and strategies fatherhood programs can use to promote collaboration with child support agencies are offered.