This online report from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation reviews key findings from the Parents and Children Together (PACT) evaluation. It features quotes and video clips from Responsible Fatherhood program staff and participants. The report describes four programs in PACT, including their available services and program impacts on fathers. Key findings are that fathers believed the programs helped them become better parents, wanted greater access to their children, and reported gaining job-seeking skills.

The Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison teamed with the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to present a webinar on March 27, 2019 on current research, as well as outreach and programming field practices that are responsive to fathers’ needs. Presenters included faculty from the University of Wisconsin’s School of Social Work and practitioners from the Indianhead Community Action Agency (serving Northwestern Wisconsin), the Parenting Network of Milwaukee, and the City of Milwaukee Health Department Men’s Health Unit.

The Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host a webinar on February 20, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET to discuss the correlation between involved fathers and positive developmental outcomes for children. The research presented from the University’s School of Social Work on this topic can help service providers to be more intentional in helping fathers improve upon their strengths and communicating this perspective to fathers and mothers.

This National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) webinar on February 6, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET will discuss fatherhood programs that support returning fathers and their families with the multiple challenges they face following incarceration. Presenters include a researcher, practitioners, and two program participants.

This report describes how a new smartphone-based application, DadTime, was developed jointly by fathers and the nonprofit MDRC to encourage attendance and participation in the Just Beginning parenting program. The app both provides reminders to attend Just Beginning sessions and reiterates techniques learned in the sessions through interactive tools. The study asked for feedback and used concrete suggestions, like allowing fathers to set the time of day of notifications, using more icons and emojis, and asking parents how they felt when they opened the app, to tailor the application. Overall, the new version of DadTime will hopefully increase user engagement and participation in the Just Beginning intervention.

This toolkit from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse provides fatherhood programs with resources to address domestic violence and promote safe environments for children and families. Some of the strategies covered include: establishing partnerships with local domestic violence organizations to share goals; working with a domestic violence prevention partner to create protocols for ensuring domestic violence issues and guiding service delivery; and facilitating cross-training for fatherhood and domestic violence agency staff.

On October 17, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a joint Information Memorandum (IM) to all ACF programs emphasizing the importance of meaningful father involvement to better serve children and families. In particular, this memorandum highlights research findings that demonstrate the value of fathers’ involvement in the lives of their children and families, as well as identifies promising practices to promote and sustain fathers’ engagement, regardless of their physical location or extent of custodial participation.