The Parents and Children Together (PACT) evaluation included four Responsible Fatherhood (RF) programs in its rigorous multi-component research design. Conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, PACT examined: fathers’ backgrounds, views, and experiences (qualitative study component), how the programs were implemented (implementation study component), and the programs’ effects on fathers’ outcomes (impacts study component). Using data collected for the implementation study and baseline data from the impact study, this brief presents findings on factors associated with fathers’ participation…
OFA provided support for fathers in 2015 through two funding streams that are part of the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) discretionary grant program. OFA awarded grants to community-based organizations for services specifically tailored to the needs of fathers in the process of transitioning from incarceration to their families and communities, known as the Responsible Fatherhood Opportunities for Re-entry and Mobility (ReFORM) programs. OFA also awarded grants for programs that serve fathers without regard to incarceration status or history, known as the New Pathways…
The evaluation team selected four grantees to participate in the PACT RF study: (1) Connections to Success in Kansas and Missouri, (2) Fathers’ Support Center in Missouri, (3) FATHER Project at Goodwill–Easter Seals Minnesota, and (4) Urban Ventures in Minnesota. As required by ACF, the RF grantees offered services in three areas: (1) parenting and fatherhood, (2) healthy marriage and relationships, and (3) economic stability. (Author introduction modified)
This brief presents new findings on the factors that are associated with fathers’ participation in RF programs. It is based on data collected for the implementation study of RF programs, which documents how the programs were designed and operated and identifies challenges and promising practices. The brief also explores variation in participation by programmatic differences. It concludes with a summary of common barriers to participation and suggestions for program providers about how to help fathers overcome these barriers. (Author abstract modified)
The purpose of this information memorandum (IM) is to strongly encourage all human service agencies including child welfare agencies, courts, offices of child support enforcement, offices of public assistance, offices of child care, Head Start programs and family and youth services programs to work together across governments to jointly create and maintain an environment that prioritizes father engagement as a critical factor in strengthening families and adopt approaches to enhance paternal involvement in all family support and child welfare related programs. (Author abstract)
Building Bridges and Bonds (B3), a study of Responsible Fatherhood programs, is testing a set of innovative approaches designed to help fathers advance their parenting and employment skills. One of these innovations is a new smartphone-based application called DadTime. DadTime is designed to support engagement with and attendance at a parenting program called Just Beginning, another B3 innovation.
This brief describes how MDRC collaborated with fathers – the intended users – to develop DadTime. (Author abstract)
Training Materials, Report
Several decades of research on the impact that fathers have on the lives of children demonstrate that fathers have a significant influence on their children’s lives—whether by virtue of their presence, or by their absence. We designed this toolkit for professionals working to establish healthy relationships with fathers to improve service and/or program engagement. It includes a full complement of tools to help you use this film in your work. (Author abstract, modified)
This report provides an understanding of programmatic responsible fatherhood features that lead to strong engagement and participation by the fathers and provide context for the evaluation's forthcoming results on parenting, healthy relationships, and economic stability. This report specifically addresses three questions: 1) What were the circumstances, experiences, needs, and concerns of fathers at program entry? 2)To what extent and how did programs seek to address the needs, concerns, and circumstances presented by fathers; and 3) How did fathers respond to the offered programming in terms…
Other
The Parenting Curricula Review Databases explore parenting curricula options for families in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. There are separate databases for center-based and home-based curricula. Curricula are categorized by age of children, key topics, number/frequency of sessions, parenting domains addressed, languages available, cost, and other features. (Author abstract modified)
Adult caregivers such as parents, teachers, coaches, and other mentors play a critical role in shaping and supporting self-regulation development from birth through young adulthood through an interactive process called “co-regulation." This snapshot focuses on the self-regulation skills developing in infants and toddlers and highlights key considerations for promoting these skills. (Author abstract modified)
