From Unexceptional to Unforgettable: How Fatherhood Programs Can Engage Clients Using Behavioral Science

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 techniques can help programs:

• Tailor communications to the target audience
• Emphasize the goal of a communication
• Address barriers that might prevent the recipient from understanding or acting on the information being communicated