This tip sheet will provide guidance on 1) what a partner referral organization is, 2) why partner referral organizations are important, and 3) what you should look for in selecting partner referral organizations. (Author abstract)
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Journal Article The present qualitative research focuses on homeless fathers living with their children in family shelters. Data were collected through semistructured, face-to-face interviews with homeless fathers (n = 9) and shelter directors (n = 3). Findings suggest that how fathers made meaning of their experiences in a homeless shelter was related to contextual factors and constructions of masculinity. Contextual constraints deriving from unemployment, behavioral and psychological restrictions of shelters, and new parenting roles led men to reassess their parental and masculine role identities. Results…
This fact sheet outlines how TANF funds can be used to fund programs that develop and maintain healthy marriages/families. (Author abstract)
The Toolkit is designed to help managers and practitioners meet the strong policy requirements for father-inclusive services coming from the Department for Children. Contents contain: Card 1. Toolkit for father-inclusive practice how to use this guide; Card 2. Why support father-child relationships?; Card 3. Step One: Agency Commitment; Card 4. Step Two: Finding out about local fathers; Card 5. Step three: workers and volunteers; Card 6. Step Four: Settings; Card 7. Step Five: Recruiting fathers; Card 8. Step Six: Services; Card 9. Step Seven: Partnerships and networks; Card 10. Step Eight:…
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Journal Article With current U.S. combat opertions in Afghanistan and Iraq, military families are facing an unprecedented level of stress because of repeated and lengthy separations. The impact on children of these separations from one or both parents depends to a large extent on the remaining caregiver's ability to respond to the needs of the children. By providing supportive programs sensitive to the unique needs of military families with infant and toddlers, community initiatives such as Operation Parenting Edge (OPE) are able to maximize coping skills and promote resiliency in these families. (Author…
Details the approach and goals of the Children's Bureau-funded Quality Improvement Center on Non-resident Fathers.
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Journal Article Fathers are interested in helping their infants learn. Fathers also prefer parenting education programs with active participation. This randomized controlled study with first-time fathers evaluated the effects of video self-modeling with feedback delivered during two home visits. Fathers in the intervention group (n = 81) reviewed, with a home visitor, examples of parental sensitivity and responsiveness from videotapes of the father playing with his child at five and six months. The home visitor provided the father with positive feedback and a handout. The 81 fathers in the control group…
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Journal Article Despite efforts made by management and caseworkers to promote active parental participation in the protective context, fathers or other male figures are often brushed aside from intervention. This paper presents the results of qualitative research on methods used by youth protection caseworkers (n = 22) working with stepfather families. The main objective is to identify items that encourage or discourage stepfather involvement in psychosocial interventions. Results showed that certain items do not apply solely to stepfathers, but influence youth protection caseworker decision-making from a…
This information packet was written to support child maltreatment prevention efforts by describing strategies and activities that promote protective factors. It is written for service providers, to encourage and support them as they engage and partner with parents to protect, nurture, and promote the healthy development of children. The packet includes suggestions for enhancing each of the five protective factors in families; tip sheets in English and Spanish for providers to use when working with parents and caregivers on specific parenting challenges; strategies for sharing the message…
The majority of low-income, unmarried fathers are present at the birth of their child, provided financial and emotional support to the mother during pregnancy and 80% are romantically involved or cohabitating. Mothers report wanting the father involved with their child, even if romantic relationships have ended. This fact sheet proposes 10 ways states can help fathers become actively involved in the lives of their children.
