The Parents and Children Together (PACT) evaluation, conducted by Mathematica Policy Research for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is examining a set of Responsible Fatherhood (RF) and Healthy Marriage (HM) grantees funded by ACF’s Office of Family Assistance (OFA). One part of the evaluation—the qualitative study—focuses on the views and experiences of fathers who voluntarily enroll and participate in RF programs. This report describes themes and findings from the first round of in-depth interviews conducted as part of the…
This fact sheet highlights effective strategies HMRF programs can implement to 1) retain staff and 2) be able to maintain services during times of staff transition. Examples and tips for implementing these strategies are included.
This Transition Tool is a follow up to the fact sheet, Achieving Program Stability through a Focus on Staffing, and provide practical strategies and tools for grantees to use such as a checklists, conversation guides, etc in effort to effectively manage and maintain staff commitment to the program as the grant program is ending.
Brief
Many programs within the Administration for Children and Families work with fathers to promote economic self-sufficiency and social well-being for them and their families. As a part of that work, we also implement rigorous research and evaluation projects designed to improve our understanding of how best to serve those fathers. This brief describes research and evaluation projects related to the Responsible Fatherhood grant program and noncustodial parents, and other research related to fathers and fatherhood.
Building Financial Capability: A Planning Guide for Integrated Services, is an interactive guide for community-based organizations interested in integrating financial capability services into existing programs (e.g. housing, job training, or Head Start). The interactive tools in the guide walk organizations step-by-step through the process of developing an integration plan, beginning with developing a deeper understanding of clients’ financial circumstances and which financial capability services can help them improve their situations. The guide also includes tools to help organizations…
Brief
This brief introduces the Family and Provider/Teacher Relationship Quality (FPTRQ) measures for early care and education stakeholders. The brief introduces the constructs and elements included in the measures, the measures' reliability, how the measures might be used, and how to use them. If you plan to use the measures, reviewing the full Family and Provider/Teacher Relationship Quality Measures: User’s Manual is recommended. (Author abstract modified)
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This brief describes the process of measuring cultural sensitivity in the Family and Provider/Teacher Relationship Quality project. Researchers measuring cultural sensitivity in other fields may also find the information contained within this brief useful. (Author abstract)
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This research-to-practice brief is intended to help policymakers, program managers, and practitioners learn how the newly released Family and Provider/Teacher Relationship Quality (FPTRQ) measures can be used to complement or supplement two approaches, Strengthening Families™ and the Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement (PFCE) frameworks, and their related self-assessments, that have been frequently used by Early Care and Education (ECE) stakeholders to support their work with families and to assess their programs, providers and teachers in these efforts. (Author abstract)
This fact sheet provides ideas and resources for beginning a conversation with participants about two specific financial empowerment topics: starting an emergency savings account and building credit. It examines some common concerns about financial topics like "We don’t have enough money to start a savings account" and "Will pulling my credit report hurt my credit score?" and offers ways to help participants take the first step. The fact sheet also directs HMRF practitioners to where they can find financial institution and credit counseling partners. (Author abstract)
As part of a project supported by the HHS IDEA LAB, OFA tested design thinking’s utility as a creative problem solving approach for social service organizations with three of its grantees. After introducing the grantees to design thinking, the organizations learned the methodology by using it to solve a challenge of their choice. The publication, “Creating Solutions Together: Design Thinking, The Office of Family Assistance and 3 Grantees,” captures the process used and the grantees’ experience and reflections on the project. Not familiar with design thinking? At its heart, design thinking is…
