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Communication with participants is critical to the success of a fatherhood program. Programs communicate with fathers to encourage them to participate in a variety of offered services, remind them about upcoming activities, reinforce important information, check in if they miss a session, or inform them about other useful workshops and events. Highly effective communication materials may make fathers more likely to trust a program, respond to outreach efforts, engage with program services, or follow through on intended actions. When used successfully, evidence-based behavioral science…

Fatherhood programs provide services that support fathers in their roles as major influences in their children's lives. These programs are helping fathers create loving, nurturing relationships with their children and be actively involved in their lives. This toolkit draws on lessons learned and resources used by fatherhood programs in diverse locales throughout the nation. (Author abstract)

Note: Associated materials available at http://www.fatherhood.gov/toolkit

Involved fathers make essential contributions to their children’s wellbeing, even when they are parenting during tough times and circumstances. That’s what we at the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) call Dadication. We applaud and support all dads who show up for their kids, especially when parenting isn’t easy.

The DADication documentary features fathers who appeared in our Dadication PSAs and includes additional testimony from fathers and fatherhood practitioners. The short documentary emphasizes how…

This interactive guide and the accompanying full toolkit (PDF) provide practitioners with user-friendly, hands-on resources to support the implementation of new program components or services. The resources are organized into three main sections that correlate with major phases of the process, Ready, Set, and Go!, each of which involves several substeps.

Adult learning theory aims to explain the processes by which adults gain knowledge, skills, and abilities. This paper explores how adult learning theory might inform healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood (HMRF) programming so it can be more successful in supporting family well-being. The first section of the paper provides an overview of the HMRF program context, including participants’ background and skills, the services programs offer, and the common challenges programs face in achieving their desired outcomes. The second section of the paper summarizes the key principles of adult…

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated major changes to service delivery for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV)-funded home visiting in Texas. Almost all providers adapted by switching to a virtual service delivery model. To study these changes, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’ Prevention and Early Intervention Division (PEI) contracted with Dr. Cynthia Osborne and the Child and Family Research Partnership (CFRP) at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Home visitors found that families valued virtual services, …

This evaluation documented the impact of the Good Road of Life (GRL) training program for Native men from four communities in the Western US. A mixed-method evaluation design was used to document changes in participant responses (N=60) based on pre/post assessments and qualitative data provided. The quantitative analysis showed statistically significant increases in participants’ pre and post knowledge scores for healthy relationships, help seeking behaviors, self-esteem, confidence, and communication skills. The qualitative analysis indicated that the GRL program had a positive impact in…

This National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) Tip Sheet is a Companion Document to the NRFC Spotlight Using Virtual Technology In Fatherhood Programs. Topics include considerations for selecting a virtual platform, sending virtual invites, and managing online meetings. 

As part of our six-year effort to build research, practice, and policy in the fatherhood field, the FRPN developed a statewide planning initiative to support states in developing long-term plans to enhance father inclusion. This brief describes FRPN’s State Planning Grant Initiative and the activities that funded states pursued to begin the process of achieving systemic change aimed at father inclusion. It also describes the challenges they encountered, their early accomplishments, and the next steps that they plan to take.

Parents as Teachers Fatherhood Toolkit is a compilation of materials to enrich and enhance programs serving fathers in home visiting programs. Parents as Teachers builds strong communities, thriving families and children that are healthy, safe and ready to learn by matching parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from prenatal through kindergarten.