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Journal Article Fathers' involvement in child protection processes appears to remain low and is problematic given their influence over the lives and wellbeing of their children and partners. Men's views need to be taken into account, as part of consideration of risk and the meaning of their participation for others in the family. While the risk or presence of abuse may necessarily limit how the participation of a father is managed in case conferences, and needs to be explored and challenged, in most cases it does not justify failing to contact or seeking to involve fathers. Involving fathers is crucial to…
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Journal Article This article describes how an alliance with STRONG Fathers and Casey Family Programs has allowed Maine to develop and implement a unified approach to improve the manner in which Maine's Department of Health and Human Services interacts with fathers. The impact of the 2012 New England Fathering Conference in re-energizing Maine staff is also highlighted.
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Journal Article In 2011, the California Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP), commissioned an assessment to gauge the state of the child abuse prevention and early intervention field in California. The assessment, coordinated by Strategies, sought to determine the extent to which three evidence-informed frameworks are integrated in the understanding, planning, and practices of county child welfare agencies and their community partners. The assessment will assist OCAP in implementing Strengthening Families and in supporting counties with the integration of prevention plans…
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Journal Article This qualitative study explored 18 high-risk adolescent Latinas' perceptions of their relationships with nonresident fathers. A number of interrelated factors -- early childhood memories, mothers' interpretations, and fathers' behaviors -- shaped girls' perceptions, which in turn, influenced how they interacted with fathers. Some girls struggled to make sense of fathers' diminished involvement and continued to long for them. Others grew angry and refused to have anything to do with hostile and aggressive fathers. Some girls never knew or did not remember their fathers, and they were largely…
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Journal Article Over the last two decades there has been an increased societal and academic interest in the role of fathers, as well as promoting responsible fatherhood in families and communities. In turn, this interest has given rise to an increasing number of fatherhood interventions. Although many programs to support fatherhood exist, they often differ in terms of their goals, target populations, designs, methods of implementation and assessment. This article reviews key evaluation findings from fatherhood programs that have been rigorously evaluated (i.e., used random assignment design) in order to…
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Journal Article This article presents research results concerning the relationships young fathers have with social service organizations, in particular, those which offer assistance specifically tailored to young fathers' needs or those responsible for child and youth protection. These results are drawn from a broader qualitative study in which interview and focus-group data were collected from fathers who had had a child at an early age. A literature review first provides an overview of various facets of the experience of young fathers and of the services they need. The literature and the voices of young…
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Journal Article Responsible, involved fathers are integral to the wellbeing of their children, families, and communities. The Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative (MFI) was founded with the goal of fostering multi-sectoral collaboration able to support and sustain the efforts of fathers and the organizations invested in their wellbeing. This article demonstrates how the MFI formed mutually beneficial community-based partnerships toward this end. Partner roles, accomplishments, strategies for sustainability, and recommendations applicable to forming initiatives in other communities are also provided. (Author…
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Journal Article This paper documents a model for outreaching, connecting, and serving low-income, ethnically diverse, non-custodial fathers. Men are engaged "where they are" by building their strengths and addressing their needs. The Male Involvement Network's (MIN) collaborative model was created in Connecticut to help fathers become positive and healthy role models by increasing their attachment to their children and families (Smith, 2003). This clinically informed, case management model addresses their physical, emotional, mental, economic and spiritual health needs. Through a relational approach and…
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Journal Article In the United States, multipartnered fertility (MPF) has become commonplace. This study provides the first nationally representative measures of women's MPF, across multiple years, using the U.S. Census Bureau's Surveys of Income and Program Participation. Because welfare rules contain strong incentives for MPF, and because MPF is especially common among welfare recipients, the authors also examine the relationship between welfare and MPF. Focusing on the pre-TANF period 1985 to 1996, when welfare rules were more comparable across states and the absence of time limits made the incentives for…
