This chapter identifies developmental factors associated with positive fathering among 179 young, high-risk fathers who made a better than expected adjustment to parenthood. Results found that despite significant individual and social disadvantages, these fathers developed relational capacities associated with positive parenting. These capacities include a growth-oriented perspective on the co-parenting relationship, a commitment to shared responsibility for taking care of the co-parenting relationship, and a willingness to empathize with their co-parenting partners. Case studies illustrate…
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Journal Article Realizing the paucity of data available concerning fatherhood, the Fatherhood Collaborative of San Mateo County, a public-private community partnership with leadership from the local Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) program, conducted a countywide needs assessment to ask fathers of young children about their personal and service-related needs in order to assist local stakeholders in expanding and improving services for families. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A total of 204 fathers of children aged 0 to 5 years completed a 35-question survey. In addition,…
Brief
Most children in foster care are not living with their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes, and once in substitute care, these children may experience even less contact with their nonresident fathers. Yet fathers and their relatives represent half of a child's potential family connections and kin resources. If ignored, important social or financial support for the child may be missed as permanency planning is conducted. Fathers or their relatives may be potential substitute caregivers for the child, may support a reunification plan with child support, respite or other…
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Journal Article This article presents the challenges and successes of a university-based empowerment evaluation team as they promoted community-based organizational (CBO) self-evaluation skills through a large community capacity building effort funded by a community foundation. Using a reflective inquiry approach, the team's approach to empowerment evaluation is discussed, and the how's, the why's, and the outcomes of the team's efforts are presented. Lessons learned emphasize the significance of training, role clarity, management of power relations, participant readiness, adequate resources, technology,…
Brief
This ASPE Research Brief presents findings related to casework practice from a study that sought to determine the extent to which child welfare agencies seek out nonresident fathers. (Author abstract).
This chapter discusses the importance of strong communities in the promotion of strong and healthy families, and the needs of organizations and communities for capacity building to support families in their development and adaptation. The role of the coach or capacity-building consultant in facilitating the work of family-serving organizations and community groups is then explored. 52 references.
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Journal Article Only in the last few years have researchers begun to pay close attention to the child-only cases that fall under the provision of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. Few attempts have been made to talk directly to kinship caregivers to understand their day-to-day lives. This triangulated study utilizes multiple strategies to assess the needs of child-only recipient caregivers in one northeast county. There are two distinct child-only recipient caregiving populations: (1) Caregivers who have been designated as disabled and who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (…
