Brief
Programs designed specifically to support fathers in their role as parents are relatively new to the policy landscape. Originally emerging as an outgrowth of welfare reform and stronger child support enforcement in the 1990s, fatherhood programs ahve since evolved from a narrow focus on financial stability and support to a more balanced agenda that emphasizes healthy relationships, parenting skills, and father involvement. Accompanying these changes has been a growing interest among researchers in studying the role that fathers play in the lives of their children. In this brief, we…
Brief
The purpose of this brief is to draw attention to the issue of post-permanency with its focus on the family, and move attention away from re-entry, which focuses on the system. Addressing the gaps in post-permanency practices will strengthen families and prevent children from re-entering care. There are many ways to support families after exiting foster care, including establishing clear funding streams for the most effective post-permanency supports, standardizing data elements to examine who does and does not re-enter care, and conducting rigorous research to identify what has helped…
Brief
The science of child development and the core capabilities of adults point to a set of “design principles” that policymakers and practitioners in many different sectors can use to improve outcomes for children and families. That is, to be maximally effective, policies and services should: 1) Support responsive relationships for children and adults; 2) Strengthen core life skills; and 3) Reduce sources of stress in the lives of children and families.These three principles can guide decision-makers as they choose among policy alternatives, design new approaches, and shift existing practice in…
Brief
Since the 1970s, Americans’ household incomes have become more volatile, fluctuating year-to-year and week-to-week. Increased income volatility is particularly prominent among low-income families, many of whom are served by the U.S. system of means-tested income support programs. These programs provide income, goods, and services to families who prove that their income (and sometimes assets) are low enough to qualify for a particular program and meet other program requirements. At initial application, during benefit receipt, and at recertification periods, each income support program has…
This desk reference is for state and local boards and staff and provides information on serving priority populations using WIOA Adult funds - recipients of public assistance, low-income individuals, individuals who are basic skills deficient, and veterans. (Author abstract)
Several parent training and support programs have been shown to improve parent–child relationships and otherparenting outcomes. However, relatively few are delivered specifically to fathers. The available evidence suggeststhat recruiting and retaining fathers in parenting programs is a challenge, and even less research has examined theeffectiveness of such programs. The purpose of this study was to better understand father engagement in a parentingsupport program, and also to understand whether a peer-support parenting program was effective at improvingoutcomes for fathers. (Author abstract)
Several parent training and support programs have been shown to improve parent–child relationships and otherparenting outcomes. However, relatively few are delivered specifically to fathers. The available evidence suggeststhat recruiting and retaining fathers in parenting programs is a challenge, and even less research has examined theeffectiveness of such programs. The purpose of this study was to better understand father engagement in a parentingsupport program, and also to understand whether a peer-support parenting program was effective at improvingoutcomes for fathers. (Author abstract)
The intent of the study was to compare the effects of the Circle Parents peer support network on fathers of young children receiving Head Start/Early Start services to fathers waitlisted for those services. 102 fathers were recruited to participate. Using randomization, fathers assigned to a “treatment group” were strongly encouraged to attend Circle of Parents group and received regular invitations and notifications of group meetings and activities for about a year. Fathers in the control group received usual services and were on a waitlist to join the group at the end of the study. (Author…
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…
