This blog post from Clarence H. Carter, Director, Office of Family Assistance, announces the release of an information memorandum that details efforts to prioritize and enhance father engagement in ACF-funded programs. The memorandum was signed by the leadership of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, including the Children’s Bureau, the Family and Youth Services Bureau, the Office of Child Support Enforcement, the Office of Family Assistance, the Office of Child Care, and the Office of Head Start. ACF affirms its commitment to fathers and families and encourages paternal involvement in family support and child welfare programs.

This Urban Institute policy brief reviews the extent that children’s negative behavioral outcomes continue after their fathers have been released from incarceration. The brief compares negative outcomes, such as outward displays of aggression or internalized expressions, including withdrawal or anxiety, among children when their fathers are incarcerated and when they are released with outcomes of those children whose fathers have never been incarcerated.

This brief from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families explores who Latino fathers are and how this affects their engagement with their children. For this brief, data from the National Survey of Family Growth was analyzed; a sample of Latino fathers was separated into immigrant and non-immigrant categories because the immigrant experience has been found to have a significant impact on all facets of a father's life. The brief shares key findings about who Latino fathers are and their interaction with the labor market and their children and offers points for discussion and future research.

This PACT issue brief discusses a study of father social support networks from interviews with four responsible fatherhood grantees. Researchers sought to understand the size and composition of family and friendship groups, the type of support provided, and organizations where fathers receive services. Authors found that fathers had small social networks, used their networks for emotional, financial, in-kind, and housing support, and received support from religious organizations, community service agencies, and community-based organizations.

This resource from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse highlights a rural community partnership between a fatherhood program and local child support agency. In this case study, authors describe the development of a partnership in Merced County, California and lessons learned.

This MEF Associates evaluation report prepared for the City of Seattle evaluates their Career Bridge program. Career Bridge was developed as an alternative means of addressing recent gun violence in the city by addressing employment barriers of low-income men of color. The report focuses on the implementation of the program and the employment outcomes for the first three program cohorts that completed the program in 2014.

This study from the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network provides the final evaluation results of a randomized controlled trial of a culturally tailored fatherhood curriculum for low-income fathers residing in Baltimore, Maryland. The program is called “Developing all Dads for Manhood and Parenting” (DAD MAP); study results showed some gains in desired outcomes in the short term, but the gains waned as time passed after program completion.

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlights the work of the Transitions Clinic Network, a national network of clinics that serves previously incarcerated individuals with chronic health conditions. The network is staffed by community health workers who have their own incarceration histories. The model has been adopted in 10 cities, and the post contains a link to learn more about the program.

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the fourth installment of the “Self-Sufficiency Series: Solutions from the Field” and highlights Children First SHARP (Supporting Parents, Holistic Case Management, Access to Employment, Reaching Goals, Positive Parenting), an evidence-based model for serving noncustodial parents; this is a collective, one-stop approach between Goodwill Industries, the Kenosha County Child Support Agency, and several other community partners. Services provided include assistance with job searches and resume building, work supports, and a weekly Children First Job Club that facilitates peer support and networking.

This webinar from the Office of Adolescent Health presents relevant research and strategies for engaging young fathers in workforce development and employment activities. The webinar featured two example programs from different states as well an experienced researcher who provided an overview of what is known through the existing research about engaging young fathers.