This InfoSheet presents research findings from the 2006 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, What About the Dads? Child Welfare Agencies' Efforts to Identify, Locate, and Involve Nonresident Fathers, which was conducted by the Urban Institute with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Based on this research, it offers ways in which caseworkers can locate and work with fathers to get them involved with their children.
Men on a Mission provides the first comprehensive study of men who work and volunteer with kids in a variety of public settings. This engaging book brings to life diverse histories and experiences of men who have worked as coaches, teachers, youth ministers, probation officers, Big Brothers, Boys & Girls Club staff, 4-H agents, and the like.Drawing on in-depth interviews with men between the ages of 19 and 65, ethnographic observations, and more than twenty years of research on fathers, William Marsiglio explores the many aspects of male mentorship of youth, including the motivating…
This chapter discusses the adverse effects of parental incarceration on children and the types of stressors children experience because of their parent’s arrest and imprisonment. The chapter concludes by identifying some protective factors that may promote resilience in children with an imprisoned parent. (Author abstract)
NRFC Quick Statistics and Research Reviews, Brief
This fact sheet provides statistics from various years on incarcerated parents including estimated number of state and federal prisoners with minor children, by gender; percent of state and federal male prisoners with minor children; minor children with a parent in prison by race/ethnicity; and living arrangements for children with parents in state prisons. Also provided are statistics on frequency of contact (phone, mails, personal visits) with children for parents in state prisons; frequency of telephone, mail, and personal contacts with children for parents in state prisons; age…
Over 1.5 million children in this country currently have one or both of their parents incarcerated. In addition to the trauma of this loss, these children face tremendous uncertainty in their living arrangements, relationships with loved ones, and family financial stability. Short-term coping responses and heavy stigma are common, both of which may lead to long-term emotional and behavioral challenges. This report reviews the current research on children with incarcerated parents and offers recommendations on how to reduce the negative impact of parental incarceration, with particular…
Most foster children are not living with their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes. While in foster care these children may experience even less contact with their nonresident fathers. This study examined child welfare practices with respect to identifying, locating, and involving fathers of children in foster care including whether child support resources were used. Local agency caseworkers were interviewed by phone about nearly 2,000 foster children in four study states. The study found that nonresident fathers are not often involved in case planning and nearly half were…
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Journal Article During a pilot qualitative study about children's views of Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations, the problem for study broadened to include children's views of the transition to foster care generally. Findings indicated that (1) the CPS investigation was not an emotionally charged topic for these respondents, and (2) respondents were ambivalent about foster care, liking many aspects while also missing birth parents. Respondents (most in care for the first time) were in care for nonemergency reasons, and for brief periods (1 to 5 months). These circumstances may have influenced the…
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Journal Article Federal initiatives encourage social service agencies to engage fathers and strengthen families, but little research is available to guide administrative action. This survey among 339 fathers and 1,203 social services workers targets policy development. Gaps between father and worker perceptions, that imply limited or misunderstanding, were found. Although fathers perceived agency intervention as helpful, they requested more case-specific help and father-centered services. Social service workers valued father input, but struggled to navigate parental conflicts. Findings suggest needs for…
Brief
In this policy brief, the authors highlight findings from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, conducted through Columbia University's School of Social Work. The study explores the extent to which children of incarcerated parents are at a greater risk for material hardship, family instability, and developmental challenges. (Author abstract)
How can we get more men involved? National PTA surveyed nearly 2,700 men in fall 2004 to find out. The findings from that survey have been distilled to 10 ways a local PTA can break down barriers to male involvement and increase male PTA membership. (Author abstract)
