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This brief lists resources for engaging fathers in the healthy development of their children. Ten resources are listed and include resources on lessons learned from the Early Head Start Fatherhood Demonstration Projects, the National Fatherhood Clearinghouse, Head Start approaches to strengthening families, and the Fatherhood First program. Descriptions include links for additional information.
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This article discusses reasons for the lack of father involvement in child rearing, the benefits of father involvement for children's well-being, and the benefits of father engagement that are specific to child protective services and foster care. Strategies for engaging fathers are discussed in the areas of agency commitment, locating and recruiting fathers, the initial contact, and on-going contact. Characteristics of successful father engagement programs are also noted.
This fact sheet lists inappropriate and appropriate responses to children who are behaving badly. Caregivers are urged to provide children with choices, validate the feelings of the child while stating the inappropriate nature of the behavior, communicate how the behavior is making the caregiver feel, and reaffirm their commitment to the child even when the child is making bad choices.
Brief
Low-skilled men, especially minorities, typically work at low levels and provide little support for their children. Conservatives blame this on government willingness to support families, which frees the fathers from responsibility, while liberals say that men are denied work by racial bias or the economy--either a lack of jobs or low wages, which depress the incentive to work. The evidence for all these theories is weak. Thus, changing program benefits or incentives is unlikely to solve the men's work problem. More promising is the idea of linking assistance with administrative requirements…
Other, Fact Sheet
Designed for judges, this bench card contains steps that judicial officers can take to help fathers participate in the child protection court process and case planning. (Author abstract modified)
Other, Fact Sheet
Designed for judges, this bench card contains ways in which judicial officers can help better engage fathers by understanding how men seek help and learn differently from women. They can also encourage the child welfare agency to work with fathers as often as mothers, offer services geared toward men's learning styles, and work as hard to find and engage fathers as mothers. (Author abstract modified)
Other, Fact Sheet
Identifying and locating fathers early helps children establish or maintain important connections with their fathers and paternal relatives. It also reduces delays in permanency, if the goal is adoption. Establishing paternity quickly after a putative father is located is critical to ensuring the case moves quickly and the father can assert and protect his constitutional rights to the care and custody of his child. Designed for judges, this bench card contains ways in which judicial officers can assist in this process. (Author abstract modified)
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This is a partial listing of curricula that have been used as part of fatherhood programs in the United States. The compendium was compiled for the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) in August 2011 under a contract with the United States Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families/Office of Family Assistance. The compendium is for information purposes only; none of the listed curricula are endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More information on availability of curricula and facilitator training can be obtained…
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Studies have shown that increased father engagement in children's lives results in better outcomes for children and families. This series of short guides provide important tips for non-custodial fathers involved in child protection cases, focusing on issues such as the father's legal rights, child support and courtroom etiquette. They include information written specifically for fathers on how they can be active participants in their children's case and successfully navigate the protection system.
Brief
Taking risks is fairly common in adolescence. Risky behaviors can be associated with serious, long-term, and -- in some cases -- life-threatening consequences. This is especially the case when adolescents engage in more than one harmful behavior. The tendency for risky behaviors to co-occur has been well-studied. Yet prevention efforts traditionally have taken a targeted approach, seeking to prevent a single risky behavior. A more powerful and cost-effective approach may be to employ strategies designed to address factors associated with multiple risky behaviors. This Research Brief brings…
