This fact sheet proposes ways in which fatherhood programs and state entities can work together to engage fathers. Suggestions include: facilitate collaborative relationships between local service providers and state entities like child support enforcement agencies and court systems; use state institutions as a connection point to refer low-income fathers to help them get jobs; develop a community outreach strategy that helps community providers better understand systemic issues related to child support and visitation; create a liaison that works directly with program providers to coordinate…
This fact sheet proposes ways in which state and local policymakers can engage fathers in a social network. Some suggestions include: Use state institutions' child support and welfare agencies and the courts' access points to connect low-income fathers with services; develop a statewide strategy for service delivery that combines state and local partnerships; develop outcome-based performance measures to assist state agencies to direct efforts toward developing comprehensive fatherhood services; use independent boards or commissions to oversee fatherhood projects; use the budget process to…
This fact sheet proposes ways in which welfare funds can be used to provide services to fathers. Some of the suggestions provided include: create eligibility categories for services that include fathers; include fathers in definitions of families to allow eligibility; ensure state agencies maximize this flexibilityto provide services to working poor fathers andtheir families to minimize the risk they will go on welfare; direct funding to provide employment andparenting and relationship services to fathers. (Author abstract, modified).
Brief
This brief argues that welfare reform has not gone far enough to encourage two-parent families and responsible fatherhood. In fact, some of its own policies discourage this behavior. Furthermore, many poor families with young children are already struggling to stay together against the odds. Eventually, the majority of these families break up. By intervening early, government could help these fragile families scale the most common barriers to remaining intact over the long haul. (Author abstract)
Brief
This document offers a brief examination of the key policy issues surrounding the EITC and marriage penalties. The EITC is designed to support low income working families with children. It provides a subsidy (up to $3,816 in 1999) for families with children and low earnings. Current research shows that the EITC has been successful in raising the income of such families, increasing rewards/incentives to work among many low skill workers, and in stimulating greater work effort by single parents. (Author abstract).
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Training Materials Based on the experiences of the Colorado Fatherhood Connection, this guide for community organizations explains how to develop programs to promote father involvement in family life. The chapters describe the important roles of fathers and outline practical strategies for assessing the needs of the community and planning programs. Considerations for board structure, the identification of available resources, the definition of mission and goals, staff requirements, marketing strategies, and budgeting are discussed. The resource guide also provides profiles of effective models that have been…
Unpublished Paper
Strict criminal justice policies, such as long-term sentences, are interfering in the achievement of welfare reform goals to promote marriage and parental involvement. This report analyzes data from the Fragile Families Study to examine the impact of criminal justice policies on the likelihood that unwed parents will form a family together. A total of 3,600 unwed couples and 1,100 married couples are being interviewed at the time of their child's birth and five one-year intervals. Study participants are being recruited from 20 cities with different welfare regimes and labor markets.…
