In a nation that imprisons more of its citizens than any other, Indiana ranks near the top. In terms of the increase in the percentage of the population that's behind bars, Indiana rose to number four in 2008 and is expected to be second only to Alabama for 2009. The “Iron Law of Corrections” dictates ever increasing numbers of Hoosiers will be released each year from confinement.
The Department of Correction’s longitudinal studies reveal that employment post-release at sustainable wages is the number one predictor of recidivism. Released individuals face several barriers that…
Report, Book
Do dads matter in the lives of their kids? While some debate this, the research answers the question with a capital Y-E-S! Healthy Marriages, Responsible Fatherhood captures a lot of that research which shows how important fathers really are, and how marriage is the glue that bonds dads to their kids.The Healthy Marriage Series is available in print (as booklets), digital (PowerPoint, Video and Keynote) and online (YouTube and Blip.tv) formats. (Author abstract modified)
Intended to assist organizations who have received federal funding for Responsible Fatherhood programming, this guide provides information on the evaluation of Responsible Fatherhood initiatives. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of program evaluation and presents the reasons for evaluating a project; what information organizations can expect to gain; and how to use evaluation information to inform a project. Chapter 2 includes an overview of the Office of Family Assistance's (OFA's) Responsible Fatherhood initiative; introduction of the Responsible Fatherhood conceptual model; and a…
This resource guide is designed to assist social service programs in developing evidence-based programs. It begins by explaining concepts underpinning evidence-based practice and highlighting the use of practices that have demonstrated efficacy in improving participant outcomes. Evidence-based programming is defined as specific programmatic activities and processes which appear to be related to positive outcomes for program participants. Section 1 of the report focuses on project conceptualization and reviews programming decisions that will have a long term impact on the project. It…
This paper argues that supporting responsible fatherhood and related programs and services is not an attack on single mothers but rather helps low-income mothers with economic stability, child care, work-life balance, the identification of mothers and fathers involved in violent situations, reproductive health, more relationships and family choices, and positive childhood outcomes. It calls for increased federal support for fatherhood responsibility programs that help men help their families and alleviate some of the stress and feelings of hopelessness that low-income men of color experience…
This annual report for 2008-2009 describes the activities and outcomes of the Parents Too Soon (PTS) programs, intensive home visiting programs in Illinois that aim to maximize the abilities of teen parents to care for their children and continue their own development. All PTS programs provide long-term home visiting services (3 to 5 years) to teen parents and their young children using one of three nationally recognized research based models: Healthy Families America, Parents As Teachers, and Nurse Family Partnership model. In addition, 12 of the 22 programs receive supplemental funding to…
Social institutions that have been around for thousands of years generally change slowly, when they change at all. But that's not the way things have been playing out with marriage and family since the middle of the 20th Century. Some scholars argue that in the past five decades, the basic architecture of these age-old institutions has changed as rapidly as at any time in human history. This Pew Research Center report, done in association with TIME, sets out to illuminate these changes by using two complementary research methodologies: a nationwide survey of 2,691 adults we conducted from Oct…
Americans today are less likely to be married than at any time in the nation's history. Rates have declined for all groups, but they have fallen most sharply among those on the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder. A new survey finds that these less-advantaged adults are more likely than others to say that economic security is an important reason to marry. Even as marriage shrinks, family remains the most important and most satisfying element in the lives of most Americans. (Author abstract)
We Dream A World: The 2025 Vision for Black Men and Boys identifies concrete policy solutions to close educational achievement gaps, ensure workforce success, reduce health disparities, improve conditions for low-income fathers and improve the overall well being of black men, their families and communities. The 2025 Campaign for Black Men and Boys focuses its work in five key areas: education, fatherhood and families, employment and wealth, health, and criminal justice.We Dream a World is a call to action for America to begin strategically addressing the problems that hinder Black men and…
The Building Strong Families evaluation is a multisite, random-assignment evaluation of a relationship skills education program for unmarried parents. From Mathematica Policy Research, this report evaluates the impact of a partnership between the Building Strong Families program and the Child Support Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Researchers evaluate the partnership in terms of child support outcomes, including paternity establishment, child support orders, and child support payments.
