In June 2014, the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (FRPN) launched to promote rigorous evaluation of fatherhood programs. The FRPN will announce its first grant awards to researcher and program/practitioner teams this fall.
If you read The Father Factor Blog, you know that NFI's president Christopher A. Brown has written about funding fatherhood research as he serves on the FRPN steering committee. NFI is committed to helping you help fathers. In addition to funding new research, the FRPN plans to offer free technical assistance (TA) to fatherhood programs to strengthen their ability to do evaluation research.
What types of TA for evaluation do fatherhood programs need? The FRPN would like to hear from programs and practitioners.
Here are a few ideas:
- Develop a computerized management information (MIS) system to track client enrollment, service delivery and outcomes. This is designed for programs that don’t have a system in place and will include a low-cost monthly hosting fee.
- Offer consulting services for programs to improve use of their MIS.
- Provide one-on-one consulting services on evaluation for interested programs.
- Develop measurement tools and research instruments targeted to father engagement, co-parenting and other important outcomes.
- Create an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for fatherhood programs that do not have access to one or are not connected with a university.
- Develop a certificate program on evaluation research for fatherhood program staff that qualifies for continuing education credit.
- Continue to develop videos, webinars and other resources focused on program evaluation and post them on the FRPN website (www.frpn.org).
- Develop an evaluation self-assessment tool for programs.
- Help programs connect with researchers in close proximity who are interested in doing evaluation research projects.
Help the FRPN determine what types of TA the fatherhood field needs by completing the FRPN TA poll! Visit here to get started. We appreciate your time and feedback!
The FRPN seeks to:
- Promote rigorous evaluation of fatherhood programs.
- Expand the number of researchers and practitioners collaborating to evaluate these programs.
- Disseminate information that leads to effective fatherhood practice and evaluation research.
