Evaluation of Tampa-Based REACHUP’s 24/7 Dad® Program Supports Its Effectiveness Especially with Young Dads

A recently-published evaluation of REACHUP’s use of the 24/7 Dad^® program of National Fatherhood Initiative^® lends additional evidence of the program’s effectiveness.

Researchers at the University of South Florida conducted an evaluation of the impact of 24/7 Dad^® with 331 dads who participated in the program facilitated by staff of REACHUP, a nonprofit in Tampa, FL. The researchers examined the impact of the program on building the five characteristics of the 24/7 Dad:

• Self-Awareness
• Caring for Self
• Fathering Skills
• Parenting Skills
• Relationship Skills

Most of the dads:

• Were Black or Hispanic
• Had a high school education (or GED) or less
• Were not married
• Were unemployed

The researchers used the 24/7^® Dad Fathering Survey, the evaluation tool that’s included in the curriculum, to measure pro-fathering knowledge, attitudes, and skills associated with each of the characteristics. They compared the level of the characteristics present in dads before they started the program and compared changes in those characteristics after program completion.

They found statistically significant increases at a high level (p<.001), especially among dads 25 years of age or younger.

Moreover, not all of the program participants were the biological father of a child they were helping to raise. Some were grandfathers, uncles, and family friends. The researchers noted that the program’s effectiveness extended beyond biological dads to those father figures.

This evaluation adds to the evidence that 24/7 Dad^® is effective with dads diverse in age, race and ethnicity, educational level, marital status, employment status, custodial status, and income. Independent research has also shown the program’s effectiveness in improving co-parenting and building the protective factors that reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Are you interested in reading more about this evaluation? Click here to download the journal article.

Are you interested in learning more about the program’s effectiveness with diverse fathers and other outcomes vital to responsible fatherhood? Click here to go to our new Learning Center to download evaluations of 24/7 Dad^® and our other programs for dads and moms.