EVALUATION OF THE PARTNERS FOR FRAGILE FAMILIES PROJECTS
Project: Evaluation of the Partners for Fragile Families Projects
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
(Prime Contractor: The Urban Institute)
Status: Complete
IPS Staff: Burt Barnow and Demetra Smith Nightingale
Purpose and Approach
This multi-year national evaluation of nine Section 1115 demonstration projects targeting young families, especially fathers, consisted of four components. The Partners for Fragile Families (PFF) grantees (all community-based organizations) in nine sites implemented programs that involved collaboration with One-Stops, youth agencies, child support enforcement agencies, health and mental health providers, legal systems, and faith-based organizations, to ensure all services needed by the young fathers and their families are provided. The first two components of the study
involved a site-specific implementation and process evaluation focusing on details about eligibility criteria, outreach, intake, assessment, operations, and service delivery. This information was linked to participant outcomes, services received, and participant characteristics. The third component of the evaluation was a cross-site outcome analysis of all the data that were collected in the first two components to provide an analysis of the performance of these nine demonstration sites. The last component consisted of an ethnographic study providing information on a small group of participants and their families and neighborhoods to help understand the dynamics of fragile fathers and their families. Field research, telephone interviews, focus group interviews, and surveys are just a few of the ways in which data were
collected for this evaluation project.
Results and Publications
Some of the key findings from the evaluation are consistent with past research on similar projects: (1) low-income fathers, like the mothers, face significant barriers to employment, (2) recruitment and enrollment are key challenges to programs serving young fathers, (3) child support related services and co-parenting issues are important program components, and (4) programs have a particularly difficult time improving education and skills of young fathers because they have pressures related to maintaining employment and have few options for participating in training or school.
Martinson, K. and D. Nightingale (2008). “Ten Key Findings from Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives.” Washington, DC: Urban Institute Policy Brief. www.urban.org/publications/411623.html
Martinson, K., D. Nightingale, P. Holcomb, B. Barnow, J. Trutko (2007). “Partners for Fragile Families Projects:Employment and Child Support Outcomes.” Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. www.urban.org/publications/411567.html
Martinson, K., P. Holcomb, J. Trukto, D. Nightingale, B. Barnow, K. Mikelson, (2007). “Implementation of the PFF Projects: Early Findings from the Evaluation.” Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. www.urban.org/publications/411511.html
