The Research Review we present here has been compiled out of the realization that, in many policy areas, failure by policy makers and practitioners to address fathers' behaviour and concerns results in less than adequate provision for mothers and children. What is clear to us, is that the impact fathers have on their families, and, in particular, on their children -- an impact that is sometimes positive and sometimes negative -- is, in the main, going unrecognized. This Review is an attempt to fill this gap.
Contents:
* Section 1 - Active Fatherhood in Context -- sets the scene * Section 2…
This evaluation report is the first objective, third-party evaluation of the InsideOut Dad Program, which was conducted using findings gathered from a total of nine InsideOut Dad program classes that were held in seven Maryland correctional facilities. (Author abstract modified)
Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data…
This study, the first of its kind, provides an estimate of the taxpayer costs of father absence. More precisely, it estimates the annual expenditures made by the federal government to support father-absent homes. These federal expenditures include those made on thirteen means-tested antipoverty programs and child support enforcement, and the total expenditures add up to a startling $99.8 billion. (Author abstract)
This report discusses the outcomes of a research review that evaluated evidence-based research findings on teen fatherhood programs and identified effective programs. It begins by emphasizing the importance of teen fatherhood programs, discussing barriers to teen participation in programs, and explaining principles that were used to identify rigorous research on effective teen fatherhood programs and the criteria used for considering fatherhood programs for the review. Different types of teen fatherhood programs are described, along with ten characteristics of effective teen fatherhood…
This report discusses the outcomes of a research review that evaluated evidence-based research findings on fatherhood programs for fathers involved in the criminal justice system and identified effective programs. It begins by emphasizing the importance of fatherhood programs for incarcerated fathers, discussing barriers to participation in programs, and explaining principles that were used to identify rigorous research on effective fatherhood programs for this population and the criteria used for considering fatherhood programs for the review. Eight key elements of model programs serving…
Strengthening marriages and relationships in low-income families has emerged as a national strategy for enhancing the well-being of children. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) appropriated $150 million in discretionary grants each year from 2006 through 2010 to implement the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. To provide insight into how these programs are being implemented and monitored, GAO is reporting on (1) how the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded grants and the types of organizations that received funding; (2) what activities and…
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…
The Building Strong Families (BSF) project is a large-scale program demonstration and rigorous evaluation to learn whether well-designed interventions can help interested romantically involved unmarried parents build stronger relationships and fulfill their aspirations for a healthy marriage if they choose to wed. The central question of the evaluation is whether interventions can succeed in helping these parents improve their couple relationships, enter into and sustain healthy marriages, and enhance the well-being of their children. Sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families…