This summary is a preliminary report of survey results from a community-basedprogram implementing the National Fatherhood Initiative's 24/7 Dad A.M. program. Surveydata include information gathered by the 24/7 Dad Fathering Inventory and the 24/7 DadA.M. Fathering Skills Survey, both integral assessment tools for the 24/7 Dad program. Dataanalyzed for this report were collected from fathers attending the Baldwin County (Alabama)Fatherhood Initiative's 24/7 Dad A.M. program between January 2005 and November 2005. (Author abstract)
This chapter identifies developmental factors associated with positive fathering among 179 young, high-risk fathers who made a better than expected adjustment to parenthood. Results found that despite significant individual and social disadvantages, these fathers developed relational capacities associated with positive parenting. These capacities include a growth-oriented perspective on the co-parenting relationship, a commitment to shared responsibility for taking care of the co-parenting relationship, and a willingness to empathize with their co-parenting partners. Case studies illustrate…
The fiscal year 2006 federal budget bill--known as the "Deficit Reduction Act of 2005" (DRA)--provides $100 million per year for five years to fund healthy marriage promotion efforts, and $50 million per year over five years for responsible fatherhood programs. A brief description of each of the funds is included in this overview. (Author abstract modified)
This study documents that nonresident fathers of children in foster care are not often involved in case planning efforts and nearly half are never contacted by the child welfare agency during their child's stay in foster care. By not reaching out to fathers, caseworkers may overlook potential social connections and resources that could help to achieve permanency for the child. A total of 1,222 local agency caseworkers were interviewed by phone about 1,958 specific cases between October 2004 and February 2005 to examine front-line practices related to nonresident fathers. Interviewers achieved…
The Building Strong Families (BSF) project originated from these bodies of research, and is one of the centerpieces of a broader policy strategy to support healthy marriage. BSF is a multi-year, multi-site project sponsored by USDHHS/Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Its goal is to learn whether well-designed interventions can help interested, romantically involved, unwed parents to build stronger relationships and fulfill their aspirations for a healthy marriage if they choose to wed. This report comprises four chapters. Following an introduction, Chapter II, Implementation…
This is the seventh publication in the Couples and Marriage research and policy brief series. It explores how the healthy marriage, responsible fatherhood, and domestic violence communities can work together to promote the well-being of families and children. The brief explains some of the barriers to building bridges between the three communities, and it suggests issues around which cooperative work is possible. This policy brief series is informed by a "Marriage- Plus" perspective, which has two main goals, both centered on the well-being of children: 1) to help more children grow up in…
Report, Other
In an effort to support the Administration's Fatherhood Initiative, intended to strengthen the role of fathers in the American family, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) through its Office of Beneficiary Services, Medicaid Bureau, provided funding for an outreach effort that focused on Medicaid fathers in rural Tennessee. This project, consisting of three focus groups, was done in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Health (DPH). The focus groups were facilitated by staff from the Tennessee Valley Authority, a contractor in the region. (Author abstract).
This chapter discusses the importance of strong communities in the promotion of strong and healthy families, and the needs of organizations and communities for capacity building to support families in their development and adaptation. The role of the coach or capacity-building consultant in facilitating the work of family-serving organizations and community groups is then explored. 52 references.
