Evidence informed fatherhood program: An evaluation

Abstract

Summary Black fathers with histories of incarceration and trauma have multiple stressors that interfere with their ability to navigate life in the community, parent their children, and develop self-parenting skills that promote the healthy regulation of their emotions. The origins of these stressors are connected to racism, masculine stereotypes, and histories of trauma. Improving these skills has the potential to put fathers in control of their response to life distress instead of feeling controlled by it. This study sought to examine the Evidence Informed Fatherhood Program (EIFP) and its efficacy as defined by the rates of recidivism, parental engagement, life distress, emotional regulation, and basic needs attainment. The sample comprised 551 fathers (N = 551), most of whom were Black (n = 534), drawn from administrative data from Father's UpLift. The study examined the effectiveness of the program by studying the change in scores at three points in time, namely during the baseline entry into the program, and three and six months after entry. Findings The baseline findings showed that about 95% of all participants needed assistance with basic needs, including obtaining housing, employment, and bank accounts. The results showed a statistically significant and dramatic decrease in life distress scores and an equally dramatic increase in emotional regulation scores. Applications The findings show that EIFP is effective in helping Black fathers gain self-parenting skills, address the trauma they experience as Black men in a racialized society, and reduce recidivism among them.