Brief
Getting a good education and doing well in school are widely regarded as critical preparation for most types of success in life. However, academic achievement depends on more than what takes place within school walls. Research generally indicates that characteristics outside the formal educational setting--or non-school factors--also have a lot to do with whether children and adolescents are successful in school. Therefore, it seems important to examine not only how schools can be improved but also how non-school factors can be enhanced to foster learning and educational attainment. This…
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As a children's attorney or lawyer guardian ad litem (GAL), your advocacy should include efforts to engage fathers in child welfare cases. Many of your child clients' biological fathers may not live with them when CPS becomes involved with the family. Or, the father may not be accused of abuse or neglect when CPS intervenes. This guide offers practice tips to identify and engage these fathers in your child clients' cases. Some of this material may also be useful when working with noncustodial mothers or custodial fathers. The information and tips will help you make informed recommendations…
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This brief describes implementation findings from the evaluation of Responsible Fatherhood, Marriage and Family Strengthening Grants for Incarcerated and Reentering Fathers and Their Partners (MFS-IP) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). It documents innovative parenting supports provided to incarcerated and reentering fathers and their families. (Author abstract)
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This Practice Sheet summarises and builds upon the findings from the Engaging Fathers study (Berlyn, Wise, & Soriano, 2008). It provides ideas for practitioners and policy-makers about how to increase engagement of fathers in child and family services and programs. (Author abstract)
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This short paper focuses on the role that information giving and other more complex interventions with both parents can play in tackling some of the modifiable variables associated with decline in relationship satisfaction over the transition to parenthood. A wide range of delivery options are considered, including by volunteers and the private sector. (Author abstract)
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This brief provides a summary of research findings on the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, a parent involvement, school readiness program that helps low literacy parents prepare their three- to five-year-old children for success in school and life. HIPPY programs provide a 30-week direct instruction program to at-risk parents focusing on language development, problem solving, perceptual discrimination, and other pre-academic skills. It is free to parents and delivered by home visitors who live in the same high need neighborhoods as the families they serve…
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Fathers play an important role as disciplinarians. It is a traditional and accepted role for men in families, though fathers and mothers both share that responsibility. Good discipline is a source of pride for a father and a source of stability for a family. Discipline is challenging: it is a great opportunity to model correct behavior, fairness and firmness. If you want to teach self-control and to be obeyed andrespected, you must show self-control and be consistent. Your behavior will influence your children deeply. (Author abstract modified)
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This fact sheet defines the meaning of dating. It highlights parents' concerns about dating before age 14 or 15 and consequences of early dating consistently shown in research (e.g., involvement in early sexual activity). It also provides detailed information for parents on what to do when their children start dating early.
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This policy brief, published by the Brookings Institute, presents major findings and policy recommendations based on results from The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The study shows that a large number of parents are not married when they have a child, which contributes to problems with parenting, couples' relationships, and children's well-being. Also, many unwed parents may be in close relationships when children are born, but few of these relationships last. Unwed parents often have characteristics (i.e., low education, poor health) that make finding employment, forming stable…
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This tip sheet offers six ways that parents can positively influence their teens' daily decisionmaking, impact healthy behaviors, and help them to become responsible adults. (Author abstract modified)