The results of three randomized control trials examining the effects of fatherhood interventions on low income, primarily unmarried fathers will be presented. The fourth paper will present the findings of a meta-analysis of existing evaluations of fatherhood programs. All of these studies were funded by the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (FRPN), a five-year Department of Health and Human Services grant to increase the amount and quality of rigorous evaluations of fatherhood programs serving low income fathers. An overview of the FRPN will be provided. A discussant will provide comments about each study and synthesize what has been learned about fatherhood programs.

Objectives

1. Participants will know how fatherhood programs impact low income primarily non-resident fathers and families. 2. Participants will know the challenges of conducting research with community-based fatherhood programs. 3. Participants will know about current gaps in research of fatherhood programs and how future studies can address those gaps.