Responsible Fatherhood Research

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Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives: Lessons from Research and Directions for Moving Forward Panel Discussion Presented by the Urban Institute With Support from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services February 13, 2008 Findings from Responsible Fatherhood Evaluations Moderator: Demetra Nightingale, Principal Research Scientist, Johns Hopkins University Parents’ Fair Share: Lessons Learned John M. Martinez Senior Research Associate MDRC What was PFS? Seven site random assignment demonstration Programs operated from 1992 to 1996 in: Dayton, Ohio Jacksonville, Florida Memphis, Tennessee Trenton, New Jersey Grand Rapids, Michigan Los Angeles, California Springfield,…show more content…
Data Limitations Absence of a non-treatment control group Uneven intake/assessment data on RFMIS at the sites Missing monthly activity data on RFMIS at the sites Cross-site telephone interview response rate of 31% No merging of automated child support data across the sites Child access patterns from self-report by NCPs only Employment activity missed in UI data: underground economy short-term jobs non-reporting by small employers with low-level, low-skilled workers OCSE Responsible Fatherhood Programs Data Analysis Cross-site differences in recruitment, services, objectives and goals not fully addressed Few clients served in New Hampshire and Missouri resulting in small cell sizes Washington UI data aggregated and not linked with client-supplied information Largely descriptive, exploratory study OCSE Responsible Fatherhood Programs Evaluation Data by Site Massachusetts Washington New Hampshire Wisconsin California Maryland Colorado Missouri All Sites Number of noncustodial fathers Percent with monthly tracking forms Percent with a completed telephone interview Percent checked in the child support system Percent checked in quarterly wage system 183 163 97 284 53…show more content…
More often 27% About the Same 58% Less often 14% How Often Did You See Your Youngest Child Before Enrolling in the Program? 19% Once/Twice a Year 20% Never 19% 1-3 times per month Once a week or more 42% OCSE Responsible Fatherhood Programs Any Child Support Payment: 6 months pre- and 12 months post-enrollment 80% 49% 56% 39% 79% 60% 67% 38% 86% 82% 88% 62% 86% 75% CO MD MA MO NH WA WI In the 6 months pre-program enrollment In the 12 months post enrollment Based on child support records OCSE Responsible Fatherhood Programs Child Support Paid in the 6 Months Pre- and 12 Months Post-Enrollment Amount paid as a percentage of child support owed 62% 36% 24% 42% 33% 46% 23%

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