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Journal Article Impoverished and African American fathers are often criticized by policy makers for lack of involvement in their children's lives. These criticisms are limited to defining responsible fatherhood as providing economic support while ignoring other forms of nurturing. Recent studies provide a broader perspective on how impoverished and African American fathers nurture their children. This article analyzes data from five studies carried out in Syracuse, New York, between 1996 and 2011. The studies support the contention that structural violence, inherent in the disproportionate incarceration of…
This infographic looks at what adverse child experiences (ACEs) are, who participated in the initial ACE study, and the effects on individuals and society. Part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's VetoViolence violence prevention initiative.
Webinar
The mission of the child welfare system is to promote the well-being of children by providing services to families that need assistance in protecting and caring for their children. If a report of suspected child abuse or neglect is received, an initial assessment is conducted to determine whether protective services are needed. This may lead to the development of a plan to provide services and support the family in the home, or may result in the temporary placement of the child outside the home with relatives or a foster family.
A large percentage of children who become…
Brief
This brief explores child and partner separations among families experiencing homelessness.Additionally, the brief examines: family separations and reunifications in the 20 months after being in emergency shelter and; the association between family separation and recent housing instability following the initial shelter stay. This is the fourth in a series of research briefs sponsored by OPRE and ASPE that draws on data collected as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Family Options Study. The Family Options Study has data on 2,282 homeless families with children in…
Brief
Child Protective Services (CPS) and domestic violence centers are two institutions dedicated to ensuring the safety of families. Child maltreatment and domestic violence often occur within the same families, thus CPS and domestic violence centers share many mutual clients. Despite their shared goals, CPS and domestic violence centers have different service philosophies and procedures that can come into conflict when working with families who are involved with CPS and also receiving domestic violence services. This new brief describes the lessons learned from the first year of a pilot…
Brief
This is the fifth in a series of research briefs commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that draws on the Family Options Study to inform HHS and HHS grantees as they carry out their special responsibilities for preventing and ending the homelessness of families, children, and youth. It expands on the information in the first brief "Are Homeless Families Connected to the Social Safety Net?"
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Journal Article Single motherhood has long been linked to the risk for child maltreatment. However, little is known about the role of fathers in buffering mothers' risk for child maltreatment. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this paper investigates (1) the ways in which non-resident fathers' economic contributions and involvement in parenting may moderate associations between mothers' transitions to being single and the risk for child maltreatment, and (2) whether these processes vary by race/ethnicity. Results indicate that mothers' transitions to being single are not…
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Journal Article This article introduces a special issue that is intended to move beyond the spanking debate and cultivate innovative discussion and research that will move the child welfare field forward and in a direction that will benefit children and families. It reviews the definitions of the physical punishment of children and shares research results that demonstrate the harmful effects of spanking. It then notes following articles that address the designation of spanking as an adverse childhood event, legal bans in relation to parental beliefs and attitudes toward spanking, professionals' endorsement…
Visitation can be an important and meaningful experience for incarcerated parents and their children, but it can also bea source of stress and anxiety when parents’ or children’s expectations do not align with what ends up happening. Many aspects of visitation are outside of the control of an incarcerated parent, but there are things you can do to anticipate problems and reduce stress to make visitation a positive and beneficial experience for everyone involved. Below are things to consider when planning for a visit from your child. If you do not know the answer to a question, think about who…
The Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Division of the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) contracted with the Child and Family Research Partnership (CFRP) at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs to evaluate the Military Families and Veterans Prevention Program (MVP). DFPS designed the MVP program to serve military and veteran families who are at a high risk of family violence and/or abuse and neglect. The MVP program was designed to serve the three largest military communities in Texas: Fort Hood in Bell County; Joint Base San Antonio in…
