Brief
This Fact Sheet provides basic information about sexual development and problematic sexual behavior in children ages 2-12. (Author abstract)
Brief
The Amachi initiative was implemented in Philadelphia to reduce risks for children of incarcerated men and women. Research has found that these children are vulnerable because of the instability of their living situation as well as the feelings associated with having a parent in prison. Depression, poor academic achievement, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency are more likely among the children of incarcerated parents than in the general population. Amachi seeks to provide a positive influence in these children's lives with adults recruited from faith-based communities. Big Brothers Big…
This fact sheet includes a set of website links designed to assist individuals in mentoring efforts targeting children of prisoners. Links are provided for information on the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Initiative; general mentoring resources; and children of prisoners related resources, including links for information on partnerships, grants, faith-based programs, publications, legal advice, and training; and grant writing tutorials.
Other, Brief
Policymakers and researchers alike are debating whether marriage might be an antipoverty strategy for families with children. Some believe that if more parents married, there would be a substantial decrease in poverty. Others suggest that increasing the marriage rate among poor and near-poor parents, while not dramatically reducing poverty, would make a significant dent in the poverty rate for families with children. Still others are highly skeptical of these claims. This issue brief summarizes recent research bearing on the validity of these viewpoints. In particular, it reviews recent…
This kit describes the Children's Trust Fund Fatherhood Initiative in Massachusetts and strategies for supporting fatherhood. It discusses research findings on the benefits of father involvement and the risks when fathers are absent. A program directory lists fatherhood support programs and resources for different regions of Massachusetts, along with national programs and Internet resources. The kit includes fact sheets that identify ten ways to be a better dad, books for dads to share with their children, fatherhood reference resources, activities to do with children, and tips for non-…
This fact sheet explores parental employment in low-income families and policies that can support low-income families. Findings from the research reviewed indicates 55% of all children in low-income families have at least one parent who works full-time and year-round; almost half (44%) of low-income parents with no employment reported they were not working because they were taking care of their families; and low-income parents who work are more likely to be employed in service occupations in which the are not only likely to have lower earnings and fewer opportunities for full-time employment…
Brief
This Research Brief was developed to update discussions of welfare reform through the lens of child well-being. It briefly sketches the history of research on welfare reform and children and shares the conceptual models that provided initial mappings of the ways in which welfare reform might affect children. The brief then presents a revised conceptual model that takes into account issues raised in the actual implementation of welfare reform, such as whether any income gains experienced by low income families translate into additional resources for children. At the same time, the revised…
Brief
For the roughly 150,000 babies born each year to unwed minors, paternity establishment is a complicated issue. Paternity establishment provides children with crucial financial and emotional support and access to larger extended families. At the same time, it can cause problems for minor parents: immature youngsters might enter an ill-advised marriage; a young man might sign an acknowledgment for a child who is not his genetic offspring; or a young woman who is a victim of incest or statutory rape might be better off if paternity is not established. The potential rights, limitations, and…
This InfoSheet is a brief review of information for family services practitioners and fatherhood advocates, which highlights basic recommendations for making a father-friendly Early Childhood Family Education program. (Author abstract modified)
New families, in particular new fathers, face a world that can be very exciting but also very daunting. Most of the teachers in the early-childhood classrooms are women. Many of the parent education teachers are women. One way to help fathers feel at ease within these classrooms is to identify male teachers or volunteers who can helprecruit and welcome men into the group. This InfoSheet provides a few ways for ensuring the fathers that need help will ask for it. (Author abstract modified)
