Using Documentation and Data in Fatherhood Programs.

As the scope of services provided by fatherhood programs expands, there is an increasing need for accurate information about services and outcomes. Although conducting an evaluation to determine the effectiveness of program services may be beyond the scope and budget of some fatherhood programs, all programs should be able to capture information on program operations and track progress toward program goals. To provide guidance on the use of documentation and data in fatherhood programs, this research-to-practice brief addresses four broad questions:

1. Why is it important for fatherhood programs to collect and document data?
2. What types of data can be collected in fatherhood programs?
3. How can these data be collected? and
4. How can fatherhood practitioners organize, analyze, and use data to better understand how their programs work and tell the story of what they do?

(Author abstract modified)